Malawians are once again living in darkness — literally and figuratively. The return of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government has brought back the same old problems that defined its rule: poor management, misplaced blame, and decisions that hurt ordinary people.
Power cuts are now part of daily life across the country. Instead of fixing the problem, DPP leaders are already pointing fingers, blaming ESCOM’s Chief Executive Officer, Kamkwamba. In a move widely seen as scapegoating, they have now gone so far as to embarrassingly remove him from his position and second him to MUBAS as a lecturer — as if that alone would solve the power crisis. It won’t. The problem is much deeper than one man.
This sudden crisis looks more like a setup — a way to justify bringing back expensive, generator-based electricity so that certain individuals can once again benefit from fuel contracts and kickbacks. It’s a familiar pattern. Whenever the DPP is in power, corruption and self-interest seem to take priority over service to the people.
During Joyce Banda’s administration, Malawians had stable power and enough fuel. But when Peter Mutharika took over, blackouts and water shortages became the new normal. Now, under the DPP again, history is repeating itself.
When President Lazarus Chakwera was in charge, the power situation had greatly improved. Load shedding had eased, and businesses were finally operating smoothly. But since the DPP returned, the same old darkness has crept back. Small business owners — barbers, salon operators, welders — are now struggling to survive. Every hour without electricity means lost income, spoiled goods, and growing frustration.
“It’s painful,” said lawyer and legislator Sylvester Ayuba James. “In the past, some of you said you don’t eat electricity, even when you were told that Chakwera had improved power and roads. Now you’re the same people complaining about blackouts. I hope you’re still eating your nsima and relish in the dark.”
The message is clear: under the DPP, systems collapse, blame is misplaced, and ordinary Malawians are left to suffer while those in power repeat the same costly mistakes.
