Update: Assessments of President Peter Mutharika's first year in office continue, with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace awarding his administration a rating of 3.75 out of 6, according to Nyasa Times and AfricaBrief. The October 13 report praised the government's efforts in education and food security but warned that foreign exchange shortages, fuel scarcity, and the high cost of living remain major obstacles to economic recovery. Meanwhile, the government has addressed public speculation regarding Mutharika's whereabouts. On October 12, state officials dismissed rumours that the President had travelled to India for medical treatment, insisting he remains in South Africa on a private visit, Malawi24 reports.
In opposition news, former President Lazarus Chakwera has travelled to Accra, Ghana, to attend the 10th World Assemblies of God Congress, according to Nyasa Times. His October 12 departure has revived domestic political debate regarding his close connections to church leadership and the influence ecclesiastical networks held during his time in office. Within the Malawi Congress Party, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has launched a public critique of the party's current trajectory, arguing that the former ruling party must undergo a complete overhaul to remain politically viable, Malawi24 and Nyasa Times report.
Update: The Parliamentary Committee on Health opened new investigative hearings on October 12 to address ongoing concerns over drug theft and the distribution of falsified medicines. According to Malawi24, the committee has summoned several pharmaceutical companies and the Malawi Revenue Authority to answer questions regarding the handling and quality of medical supplies entering the country.
In the public sector, a group calling itself Concerned Civil Servants has announced plans for nationwide protests on November 3, 2026, according to Malawi24. The workers are demanding that the government abandon the current contributory pension scheme, which they claim offers unpredictable benefits, and return to the previous defined-benefit system. Separately, the government has appointed Brain Magoya as the new Chairperson of the Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board, tasking him with overseeing the financing of tertiary education for Malawian students, Nyasa Times reports.