MALAWI: President Chakwera Renames Roads and Airport After Former Leaders

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

President Lazarus Chakwera has directed that the Interchange road in Lilongwe be named Arthur Peter Mutharika Road.

Chakwera has also ordered that Chileka Airport in Blantyre be renamed Bakili Muluzi International Airport.

In addition, the Western Bypass (M12 Intersection – M1 Kamuzu Procession) in Lilongwe will now be called Joyce Banda Highway.

According to a statement signed by Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, the names of the country’s former leaders will start being used officially from 9th August and will soon be gazetted into law.

Former President Peter Mutharika, who is also the leader of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has welcomed the honour of having the Interchange named after him. However, through his spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, Mutharika expressed surprise at the timing.

“The road has existed for years, so we are surprised this has been done just weeks before the elections. But we acknowledge the gesture nonetheless. People often say the opposition never appreciates, but we do appreciate this,” Namalomba said.

Mutharika also questioned the renaming of Chileka Airport, saying: “For all these years they have failed to rehabilitate Chileka to a true international standard, and now they simply change its name? How can one be proud when the airport still looks the way it does?”

Meanwhile, former President Bakili Muluzi described the gesture as a great honour. “It is important to appreciate someone while they are still alive. I am happy to have been recognised in this way,” he said.

On her part, former President Joyce Banda expressed gratitude after learning that the Lilongwe Western Bypass will now carry her name. “It’s an honour,” Banda said.

Archived images show Banda during her presidency launching construction works for the Western Bypass alongside the late former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

In June this year, during a memorial ceremony, President Chakwera also named Lilongwe’s six-lane highway—from Kamuzu Central Hospital to the Parliament Roundabout—the Saulos Klaus Chilima Highway in honour of the late Vice President who died in a plane crash in 2024.