The Office of the President and Cabinet appears determined to fight a battle it can never win: convincing Malawians that President Peter Mutharika is something other than what he plainly is. At over 86 years old, Mutharika is an elderly man. That is not an insult. It is not propaganda. It is not misinformation. It is a fact. The real question is why government officials, led by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi and other senior Democratic Progressive Party figures, seem uncomfortable acknowledging this reality. There is absolutely nothing wrong with an 86-year-old President delegating duties. In fact, most reasonable people would expect it. Running a country is physically and mentally demanding. It involves long hours, extensive travel, countless meetings and constant public engagement. Nobody should be shocked if an elderly Head of State chooses to delegate some responsibilities to ministers, vice-presidents or other senior officials. That is why governments have structures. That is why constitutions provide for vice-presidents. Delegation is not a sign of weakness. It is often a sign of practical leadership. What is troubling is the apparent effort to create an image of youthful vigour that simply does not match reality. Every time officials rush to issue defensive statements, every time they angrily dismiss legitimate questions, and every time they attempt to portray Mutharika as a tireless leader personally overseeing every aspect of government, they undermine their own credibility. Malawians have eyes. They can see that Mutharika is no longer the man who first entered State House more than a decade ago. Time affects everyone. Age affects everyone. No press statement can reverse the calendar. The irony is that government is creating a problem where none needs to exist. If Mutharika requires more rest, let Malawians know. If he delegates responsibilities, explain it openly. If he chooses to limit public appearances, be honest about it. The public is far more likely to respect transparency than carefully managed narratives that appear disconnected from obvious realities. After all, Mutharika did not sneak into office. He offered himself for election. Malawians assessed him, considered his age, weighed the implications and voted for him. Whether one supported him or not, the electorate made a conscious choice. That choice carries consequences. If voters elected an elderly President, then they should be prepared to have an elderly President. They should expect the strengths that come with age—experience, wisdom and institutional memory. They should also accept the limitations that naturally accompany advanced age. Democracy requires honesty from both leaders and citizens. The President should not be hidden from the people behind layers of carefully crafted statements and defensive public relations exercises. Equally, citizens should not pretend they were unaware of his age when they cast their ballots. The issue is not whether Peter Mutharika is old. Everyone knows he is. The issue is whether those around him are willing to level with the public. The more government insists on projecting an image that conflicts with observable reality, the more suspicion it creates. The more it attacks critics for asking questions, the more those questions multiply. There is no shame in old age. There is no shame in delegation. There is no shame in acknowledging physical limitations. The shame lies in treating citizens as though they cannot see what is right before them. Peter Mutharika is an elderly President leading Malawi at a very advanced stage of life. That is the truth. Justin Saidi and the DPP leadership would serve both the President and the country better by embracing that truth instead of fighting it. Malawians do not need convincing that Mutharika is energetic, youthful or constantly present everywhere. They need assurance that their government is honest with them. And honesty begins by acknowledging reality. Mkulukuta moyo until 2030 woooo!!!! Post navigation OG ISSA LAUNCHES JOJO FM RADIO STATION IN BLANTYRE OPC AND NEWSPAPER OF LIES.