Wicknell Chivayo: Gachagua Claims Late Zimbabwean Tycoon Held Ruto’s KSh 1.5t Before Plane Crash

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua made explosive allegations against President William Ruto during an engagement with clergy in Boston, United StatesGachagua alleged that late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash, had been used to move and hold funds on behalf of RutoThe former deputy president also claimed Chivayo was involved in arrangements to influence Kenya's 2027 General Election using foreign election technologySearch option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has made sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations linking President William Ruto to the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died alongside his wife and four others in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Rigathi Gachagua claimed the late Zimbabwean tycoon held Ruto’s KSh 1.5 trillion before the plane crash. Photo: Wicknell Chivayo/Rigathi Gachagua. Source: FacebookGachagua made the claims while addressing clergy in Boston, United States, alleging that Chivayo had conducted business dealings with Ruto and served as a conduit for moving funds on the president's behalf.

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He went further, alleging that Chivayo had transported cash by private plane to hold on behalf of the president.

Gachagua alleged that the amount held by Chivayo at the time of his death exceeded KSh 1.5 trillion.

TUKO.co.ke was unable to independently verify any of the claims, and Gachagua offered no documentary evidence to support them during his address.

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Beyond the financial allegations, Gachagua sought to connect Chivayo to what he described as a foreign-backed scheme to manipulate Kenya's next general election.

He alleged that Chivayo was a seasoned operator in electoral interference across the African continent.

Chivayo, a prominent and controversial Zimbabwean businessman known for his involvement in high-profile government contracts, was allegedly positioned as a local agent for a South Korean technology company to influence the 2027 Kenyan General Election.

No evidence was provided to support this claim. His death in a helicopter crash garnered significant regional attention.

TUKO.co.ke previously reported that Captain Calvin Soda has been identified as the pilot who was reportedly flying the helicopter that crashed in, killing Chivayo.

Soda, who was linked to the Air Force of Zimbabwe, has since been remembered online as a dedicated and professional pilot.

Amos Khaemba (Current affairs editor) Amos Khaemba is an accredited journalist and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He completed the Google News Initiative training on Advanced Digital Reporting, Fighting Misinformation, and Experimenting with New Formats (2024). Amos has over four years of experience in the digital media industry and previously worked at Kenya News Agency and Kivumbi.co.ke. Email: [email protected]