Leader of the Opposition in Malawi Parliament, Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa, has said the Malawi economy is sharply declining, resulting in rising and volatile prices of basic human necessities.
He has since blamed it on government mismanagement by the Tonse Alliance administration of President Lazarus Chakwera.
Nankhumwa made the observation on Thursday after visiting Mzuzu Main Market where he interacted with vendors to learn about the challenges they are facing while conducting their business in a hostile economic environment.
Nankhumwa, who is also the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the Southern Region, accused the government for using natural disasters and the war in Russia and Ukraine as scapegoats for an economic collapse caused by its own mismanagement and corruption.
He said the government’s scapegoating since 2020 is hurting Malawians, who needs inspiration from a caring government.
“When you buy something at the grocery shop for K1,000, you will buy that same thing at K1,500 tomorrow. This is unacceptable especially when most Malawians live below the poverty line,” the youthful politician told hundreds of vendors and others.
He said that instead of scapegoating, the government must institute economic and monetary policies that would spur economic growth and improve people’s livelihood.
He faulted the government’s decisions, through the Reserve Bank of Malawi, to devalue the Kwacha, saying this has had adverse effect on businesses and prices, triggering runaway inflation.
Nankhumwa said when Parliament meets next month, July, the opposition will seriously engage the government on improving the economy for the betterment of all Malawians.
Chairperson of the vendors, a Mr. Simwaka thanked the Leader of Opposition in Parliament for taking time off his busy schedule to interact with the vendors.
He also conveyed the vendors’ appreciation for the K200,000 Nankhumwa had donated to the vendors’ committee in Mzuzu.
Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay Northeast, Julius Chione Mwase, former DPP Northern Region Governor Kenneth Sanga, Councillor Agnes Chembezi, and scores of DPP members accompanied Nankhumwa.
