Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has congratulated Malawi’s President-elect Prof. Peter Mutharika, describing his victory in the just-concluded presidential election as a milestone for democracy in Africa.
In a statement shared on X, Gachagua said the outcome was a powerful reminder that the ballot remains the ultimate weapon against oppressive leadership.
“Mutharika’s triumph is a continental statement that the people can end punitive rule through the ballot. It shows that Africa home to 1.5 billion people is no longer a playground for hypocrisy, corruption, dictatorship, or self-serving regimes,” he wrote.
Gachagua argued that the result should serve as a warning to leaders who cling to power through illegitimate means, likening their fate to that of infamous strongmen in Africa’s past.
“From Idi Amin to Mobutu, from Bokassa to Mugabe, the era of oligarchs and strongmen has collapsed under the weight of people’s power,” he said, adding that Malawians had sent a clear message to the continent.
He further praised citizens for their vigilance, saying the election proved Africans are more politically conscious and ready to act.
“Malawi has reminded us that African citizens are awake. They see. They feel. They think. They act,” he noted.
Turning his message homeward, Gachagua urged Kenyans to remain alert as the 2027 General Election approaches, insisting that the ballot must be used to reclaim dignity and accountability in leadership.
“Let it ring loudly in the hearts of all those still waiting for justice, dignity, real leadership, and liberation,” he added.
