Ntata’s ‘Uncommon Sense’: Kenani for President in Malawi?

February 7, 2021 Z Allan Ntata 36 Comments

Section 12 (1c) of Malawi’s Constitution lays down the fundamental principle on which the constitution was founded. It states that ‘the authority to exercise power of State is conditional upon the sustained trust of the people of Malawi and that trust can only be maintained through open, accountable and transparent Government and informed democratic choice’.

Kenani: Malawians are happily channelling the little they have to The Onjezani Kenani initiative.

As the country celebrates the first anniversary of the landmark Constitutional Court ruling pronounced on 3 February 2019 that nullified the presidential elections held on 20 May 2019; it is becoming more and more disconcerting that President Chakwera – the ultimate beneficiary of the ruling – seems to have already lost the trust placed in him by Malawians.

I know that this assertion, given Section 12 (1c), is not to be made lightly, hence I need to back it up and back it up I will.

In the fresh election that followed the historic Constitutional Court ruling, 58 per cent of the voters trusted President Chakwera and his so-called Tonse Alliance to run government affairs and transform Malawi.

The problem now is that walking the talk is proving to be Dr Chakwera’s Achilles Heel. His administration’s commitment to good governance and accountability which Malawians expected to include a bare-knuckle fight against corruption, nepotism and other such undesirable isms, seems half-hearted if not non-existent.

Months and months after taking over, there are no signs that lack of accountability, waste of resources and corrupt practices will be a thing of the past.

The ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic offers a good case study in this regard.

A few weeks ago, despite a reported injection of 6.2 billion Kwacha to fight Covid-19, Malawians woke up to SOS calls from desperate Malawians in hospitals.

The cries of ‘Save our Souls’ were all about hospitalised Malawian from all walks of life, begging for life-saving medicines and equipment.

Many have since succumbed to Covid19 and related ailments. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

What happened?

Appeals from both patients and the general public to the government for urgent action went unheeded. Zero urgency was demonstrated by the government.

The most heartrending SOS was from the late Dr Paul Msoma on 13 January, four months after the 6.2 billion Kwacha was reportedly released.

His appeal;

“SOS! In Hospital, diagnosed Covid positive. The hospital staff are so wonderful, and l can see the pain in their eyes. Yes, they have oxygen cylinders, but in my case, they can’t connect me to the much-needed oxygen because the whole KCH has no Oxygen flowmeter. My situation is getting worse, and l desperately need oxygen. Anyone who can urgently help out there please, please help by donating this very gadget”.

Noting the inaction despite the urgency, private citizens and ordinary Malawians led by Onjezani Kenani (who is not even based in Malawi) initiated a private contributions fund to buy the supplies and equipment that patients were frantically requesting from their sickbeds in Intensive Care Units.

In an unprecedented demonstration of goodwill, one by one, individuals and organisations, local and in Diaspora, have been contributing to the effort.

The most impressive thing about this initiative is that every tambala donated is accounted for. On a day-to-day basis. With no excuses.

When the government finally woke up from its slumber, President Chakwera reported that 6.2 billion Kwacha was already being spent and that some funds had been used as follows:

  • K60 million had been spent on planning meetings;

  • K535 facilitating the return of Malawians from South Africa;

  • K185 million on public awareness on media platforms;

  • K580 million on border patrols;

  • K72 million to support victims of gender-based violence during the pandemic with materials and cash transfers;

  • K100 million to disinfect schools;

  • K50 million to monitor and enforce COVID-19 protocols in the workplace; and

  • K50 million on mapping where to put isolation centres.

The expenditure reported by President Chakwera begs a lot of questions.

What kind of “planning” needs expenditure of 60 million Kwacha?

  • Are we planning to send a crew to the moon?

185 million Kwacha for public awareness when we already have information dissemination structures all over the country, on the ground, in print, air and social media.

  • Is Chakwera’s government trying to establish an organisation to rival Facebook or what?

As for the 585 million Kwacha reportedly used to repatriate Malawians, the alleged beneficiaries are vehemently denying receiving government assistance that would justify the expenditure of such a colossal sum of money.

If anything, they claim to have paid for their transportation!

  • The question therefore is: where did the MK585 million go?

Without a detailed expenditure report, no one in their right minds believes the president’s statement.

Moreover, when contacted by Idriss Ali Nassa for a detailed report on the expenditure of the 6.2 billion Kwacha, the Department for Disaster Management (DODMA), which is in the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) reportedly said they couldn’t release a detailed report before an audit is done!

Yet, the same department dared to use Chakwera’s rhetoric skills to launder its dubious expenditure report!

Incredible!

The bottom line is obvious. Onjezani Kenani and the citizens’ initiative is transparent and accountable and hence more trustworthy than the government.

Any investigation can prove this as a fact.

Although the government has tried to ask donors for financial support dealing with the pandemic;  Malawians are almost unanimously refusing to trust the government with any money and are happily channelling the little they have to The Onjezani Kenani initiative.

There is no way to sugarcoat this: this is an alarming indictment of the Chakwera administration. It is an unambiguous charge that Chakwera and his administration have lost the confidence of those that voted it into power.

Of utmost concern is that this is not surprising because the government’s appeal for financial donations comes after people have requested for a detailed accountability report of the MK6.2 billion, which the government – through DODMA – is failing to honour.

Let me make my viewpoint clear. I know Covid19 is a global pandemic. I am also aware that no government in the world has found managing this pandemic a walk in the park. The UK, the US and even Germany are all struggling.

Having said that, President Chakwera ought to meditate on Collin Powell’s advice that “Leadership is solving problems and the day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.”

In our case, Malawians are taking their problems to Onjezani Kenani.

Now tell me, who is governing Malawi?

Is it Chakwera or Kenani?

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36 replies on “Ntata’s ‘Uncommon Sense’: Kenani for President in Malawi?”

  1. This is a trap Mr. Kenani, please don’t fall for this! I know Kenani is a sensible man and is beyond this type of praise singing. Of course his initiative is brilliant worth emulating!

  2. Are we trying to praise Kenani here and demeaning others?

    If i may ask: Which Companies is Kenani giving the money and supplying the items?

    Did he follow all procurement procedures or he is also giving business his accomplices?
    Did the Companies compete to Kenani or who?

    When did he invited for adverts and thru which medium?

    These are the questions that we have to answer when praising him. He is doing quite agood job but we shudnt give him unnecessary praise as he might also jumped some procedural issues which are also a problem to DODMA team.

    Govt has system and sometimes its the system that fails people.

    1. The amount of money he has collected has been well spent and that is what matters. Kaya he used friends etc. There’s a pandemic and we are seeing his contribution not the missing 6.2 billion

  3. M’busa is the best. Don’t cry you were one of them supporting the obvious failure. Enjoy! Ever heard the word ‘The best or Nothing’? M’busa and his wagon were/are the best Malawi could ever had to rule. Enjoy the ride.It is stupid to me to get surprised with this garbage when it was obvious this is what could follow. You mean u didn’t see this coming?

  4. This is the usual Malawian way of writing a piece and find a willing publisher to publish it. I have to say this that the best writers are those that objectively write opinion piece. I do not see that here. While some of your assertions are true, your tone of writing is still the same as when you used to tear down Peter Mutharika for the sole reason that after a little sojourn in the UK you come back with the mighty DPP triumphant in 2014, The new president did not take you in. Your writing is out of frustration as is hear. Until the day you start writing objectively, you won’t earn any praise from me. I am more objective than you. And yes O am supporter of UTM which practically means a supporter of the Tonse Alliance. There are many things aren’t going well in government and Malawians we must question. Use the ATI act to get info. I don’t believe Z Allan Ntata has used it.

  5. Ntata you praised these certified thieves. They are all over stealing. They have formed cartels and syndicates just to steal. State house is full of Chakweras and his wife relatives and they are busy stealing. Nkaka and Chimwendo Banda are all over stealing and boasting that this stupid reverend would be nothing without them. Thus stupid reverend said he will reshuffle cabinet after six months but nothing. Chakwera is not only sleepy but useless.

  7. I do not agree to this line of thought. The fact that Kenani is good at mobilising resources does not mean he can make a good president.

    I know of secondary school teachers who were prolific mentors. They were rewarded by the Ministry of Education to administrative positions at higher grades at the ministry or regions. It was disastrous. I could have mentioned their names but for obvious reasons I will not. The best decision was to reward those teachers there where they were the best. Similarly, let us reward Kenani where he is. Next time he might mobilise international aid in trillions of Kwachas for Malawi.

  8. Universities are busy offering online classes. But how sure are universities and the Ministry of Education that every student has an internet gadget, electrified home and internet data? My daughter requires K2000 per day for data alone. This is K12000 a week and K48000 a month for data alone. How many students can afford this? Are universities checking whether all students are affording online classes? To me, I feel that the plight of the poor is not being considered. Amabungwe mukutinji pachipsinjo chamaphunziro a online chi?

    1. This translates to K144,000.00 per term of three months for internet data only. How are poor students copping up with this? And the issue of poor internet connectivity in Malawi, how are students copping up with this? And Dedza has stayed 3 weeks without electricity, how are online students in Dedza etc copping up with this? Why does the ministry of education pretend as if everything is fine with online classes?

  9. Ntata! Only if you continue to present issues objectively as you have done here,,,you will win trust of all Malawians. Chakwera was a better man at a better place (church). Taking this direction was not well calculated & sought for. Let’s just pray for him before his miserable exit

    1. Man, you don’t know what objectivity is. Get on with life. What is objective is this piece, just full of ranting.

  10. Please be serious. Kenani may be an expert in his field but definitely not presidential material. Your article, Mr Ntata, is good in as far as entertainment is concerned.

    1. Is Chakwera a political expert? chilipo chanzeru chomwe mungaloze kumtundu wa a malawi chomwe wapangapo?

    2. Of course Mtata’s conclusion on Kenani and Chakwera is very poor. He could not have linked Kenani’s excellent mobilisation & use of Covid funds as a whole standard qualifying him to presidency. But what you are saying that Kenani’s field does not make him an expert in presidential affairs begs a lot of questions. For instance, which field qualifies a person to be an expert in presidential matters?

  12. Well said Allan. MCP die hards will hate because of writing the truth. It should not worry you. The truth has to be told. Mr. Chakwera has indeed failed Malawians. Much as Covid is a killer, but the way the Tonse Administration is managing the funds for covid is the reason why everyday we are losing many innocent lives. The problem with Mr. Chakwera and Chilima is that they are good at talking than taking real action. Anyamata awo akuba ndalama za covid koma iwo sakudziwa . Akuwanamiza zedi. Just becuase people have asked a detailed expennditure on the 6.2 billion it is when we are hearing the president saying kuti anthu apereke ma report. Kupanda kutero awachotsa nchito. Izi ndi za mbuyo mwa alendo. The two pilots – Chakwera and Chilima do not know what is happening on the ground . Their own ministers are busy enriching themselves because aona kuti their bosses are sleeping on the job. Tere zija anena dzulo zoti report liperekedwe within two days zathera pompo. Palibe china chingachitike ai. Kwao nkulankhula basi and pano anthu anaone weakeness imeneyi in him thats why sakuopa ai. So Allan, you are just right. We need to trust Kenani than Lazaro because of his transparency. Chakwera is indeed indicted and just waiting for Judgement Day

  13. Surely speaking you have hit the nail on the head mr Mtata.Covid 19 did not start yesterday that it should require planning and public awareness.President Chakwera has to come out clean on such huge expenditure queries.Money is the root of all evil and Judas betrayed the Master because of money and pride.A man tongue shows pride as they speak.God hates pride and it is sin.

  14. Mtata, it is well known to every Malawians that the President of Malawi is Dr Lazarus Chakwera, we can not dispute that we may have other people who can have chances of communication with many people using Media Platforms, it is normal to have many who are following you in Media, but the issue is on the ground!
    I know Chakwera, he is a man of Integrity and he does what he knows it is right. Mtata you wer there i mean in the Government sometime back with Bingu, what did you do to the Malawians? i think Common sense is not common!

  16. Brilliant analysis Alan. You could have added a footnote that even as they claim to release the fake financial report, the Tonse lawyers shared another MK6 billion among themselves, at a time we are begging donors for Covid assistance.

  17. Good question indeed. The Chakwera Administration though we are the haters of Mulhako Government but it seems that it has lost track or that it didn’t even get into track in the first place. Personally I’m failing to understand what is happening with President Chakwera. Only 7 months has he been captured????? Have they already made a ring around him that he doesn’t even see what is happening out there? Very sad indeed. The returnees from South Africa buy their own bus tickets it is surprising to hear that Government has repatriated people from where? Who is lying to the President? Why is the President failing just to make a phone call to the High Commissioner in Pretoria to ask? And all that money that has been spent on planning blah blah blah without even buying a single gas cylinder really?????

  18. good article. though people view Ntata as a frustrated Malawian having failed to benefit from this government, he has hit the nail on the head. Honestly Chakwera is failing to lead Malawi. His work background is a big problem. He has never worked in an environment where results are to be displayed. Religious institutions have no measure of results. You preach but are not sure how many people go to heaven. You also believe in unseen powers and expect such powers to aid you in solving problems simply by praying. This is not the case in running government where loyalty issues are at play. Chakwera has all tools at his disposal including some Malawians who have skills but are not tapped, not CHEFO members, no. Let him use skilled malawians to help him. A good leader works thru others and delegates with responsibility. But not everyone. If Chakwera does not improve on his weak points which are too huge then good, he must know he is sitting on a time bomb.

  19. The Judgement was Pronounced on 3rd Feb 2020 not 3rd Feb 2019. How could it pronounced before the actual election in May 2019

  23. A ntata mulipo? Siinu munathawira kunja malemu Bingu atatisiya. Lero mwati muthokoze azanu achita chabwino inuyo what have you done for the country?

  24. Kkkkkk Allan I thought you supported Chakwela as a pastor given to malawi to save us. Your friend Muvi Wachilungamu is also very dissapointed with Chakwela. Majority of malawians are dissapointed. You who endorsed and supported Chakwela were myopic. You endorsed Chakwela with no experience in running of government. Are you surprised with what is happening. Can Mkaka Chimwenda and his son inlaw be the right hand people to assist the state president? Bingu was intelligent and experienced but had to choose a fellow intelligent and experienced as a right hand man. Shame on you Allan and others for endorsing a fallen man of God.

  25. Vuto la ntata having sidelined he now employs online guerrilla onslaughts. He is used to listening to to his own voice so bless him God

  26. Chakwela is governing Malawi,this isn’t rocket science even a grade 1 kid knows that.Kenani’s efforts are applaudable though we not really sure the identity of those supporting us through his so called organisation. If his motive is to improve lives the better but if it’s a ploy to make a name as an entry into the political arena then good luck,let him remember that whatever his right hand does the left needs not see,don’t help poor people and go around proclaiming you are their saviour people are wise enough to see through and make a wise judgement. No hard feelings towards him my only concern is towards this trend where whenever someone is helping fellow disadvantaged or affected citizens there is an attitude YOMAIMA PACHULU KUMALENGEZA KUTI ANTHU AKUZIWENI KUTI MULI SPECIAL CHIFUKWA MUKUTHANDIZA.This is not what the spirit of Ubuntu stands for and honestly mwagwanayo.Mr Kenani good luck and keep on doing the good work,take out ego ,take out any behind the scenes motive if any or else mwagwanayo.

    1. This kind of thinking is anther reason we can’t develop.Very eloquent,meaning very reasonable education BUT very backward thinking.

  27. Attention-seeking Ntata is back. A vulture of repute, wopusa kwabasi. Koma lelo, l agree with him. Chakwera has lost the plot, his government is full of lies, liars and crooks. How do you spend 65 million kwacha for ‘planning’ meetings. Amadya chani in those meetings that is so expensive?

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