As Malawi approaches the crucial 16th September 2025 elections, political parties are unveiling their manifestos in a bid to woo voters. However, when it comes to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the hard truth is that their latest manifesto reeks of empty promises and recycled dreams, making one question whether it would have been better off going to the polls without one at all.
Bakili Muluzi TV has boldly claimed that the MCP’s manifesto is nothing more than a rehash of failed pledges, with zero tangible achievements to show from their previous commitments. This is not a baseless accusation but a reflection of the lived realities of many Malawians who have felt the sting of unfulfilled promises over the past five years under President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership.
The hard truth is that the MCP’s track record on job creation is dismal. They once promised to create one million jobs, a promise that remains unmet. Yet, in their new manifesto, they ambitiously project the creation of three million jobs. This glaring disconnect between promise and performance is not just reckless; it borders on political fantasy. It insults the intelligence of Malawians who are grappling with unemployment and economic hardships daily.
Similarly, the promise of ensuring three meals a day for every Malawian has been replaced by the vague and elusive goal of “food security.” The hard truth is that food insecurity remains a harsh reality for many families across the country, with no clear roadmap from the MCP on how they intend to turn this around. The shift in language from concrete promises to broad aspirations suggests a party scrambling to cover up its failures with political jargon.
Healthcare is another glaring example. The MCP previously vowed to construct health centres every four kilometers, a promise that has seen little to no fulfillment. Now, they aspire to build numerous hospitals without clarifying how they will marshal the necessary resources. The hard truth is that Malawians deserve more than lofty ambitions; they deserve actionable plans with measurable outcomes.
Moreover, the MCP’s inability to bring down the prices of essential goods continues to bite hard. Instead of addressing economic challenges head-on, the party is resorting to handing out K50,000 notes to voters, a tactic that raises ethical questions about vote-buying and undermines the democratic process. The hard truth is that cash handouts are a short-term bandage on a festering wound; they do not fix structural economic problems.
Financial stewardship under the MCP has also come under scrutiny. With a national debt ballooning to K17 trillion, borrowed from the international community, the party’s promises of improved public service delivery ring hollow. The hard truth is that without a credible plan to manage and repay this debt, MCP’s pledges remain empty rhetoric that will only chain Malawians to another cycle of economic hardship.
Voices from various quarters, including Comrade Ntanyiwa of Limpopo FM’s “Nkhanga Zaona” programme, echo growing disillusionment. Ntanyiwa’s call for voters to reject the MCP and President Chakwera, even if they receive K50,000 handouts, highlights a deep-seated frustration with a party perceived as untrustworthy and out of touch with the people’s needs.
The hard truth is that allegations of political violence and intimidation linked to the MCP cannot be ignored. Claims of involvement in the deaths of prominent figures like Dr. Saulosi Klaus Chilima and others cast a dark shadow over the party’s moral standing. Whether these allegations are substantiated or not, the perception alone is damaging, and the party must work hard to regain public trust.
Malawians from all corners of the country—from Nsanje to Chitipa, Nkhotakota to Mchinji—are reportedly united in their desire to vote out the MCP. This groundswell of dissatisfaction is a warning signal that the party’s political capital is rapidly depleting. The hard truth is that MCP’s continued reliance on vote-rigging schemes, as claimed by critics, only exacerbates their credibility crisis.
Given this litany of failures and controversies, the hard truth is that the MCP would be better served by going into the 2025 elections without releasing a new manifesto. Instead, they could have opted to stand on their previous manifesto, openly acknowledging where they failed and pledging to fulfill those unmet commitments. Such honesty might have resonated more authentically with voters than another glossy document filled with unrealistic promises.
In politics, credibility is currency, and the MCP seems bankrupt. The hard truth is that Malawians are no longer satisfied with words; they want action and accountability. If the MCP wants another chance at governance, it must first rebuild trust through transparency, humility, and genuine engagement with the electorate.
As the countdown to election day continues, one thing remains clear: the hard truth is that the Malawi Congress Party’s manifesto, rather than inspiring hope, has instead reinforced a narrative of disappointment. For the sake of Malawi’s future, it is time for the MCP to reflect deeply and reconsider its approach—or risk fading further into political irrelevance.
The nation watches, waits, and judges. The hard truth is that only time will tell if the MCP has learned from its past or is doomed to repeat it.
