Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion on behalf of President William Ruto when he died in a helicopter crash last week.
Gachagua made the claim on Sunday during an engagement with clergy in Boston, United States. He offered no documentary evidence to support the allegation.
According to Gachagua, Chivayo had business dealings with President Ruto and was allegedly used to move and store money for the President.
“There was a business partner of his, a crook from Zimbabwe called Chivayo. This man, because I was his deputy, so I know, they were doing business together,” Gachagua said.
He further alleged that Chivayo would receive money in dollars and transport it by aircraft to private airstrips.
“He gets money in dollars, that man comes with a plane, lands in a private airstrip and takes the money to keep for him,” he claimed.
Gachagua then put the alleged amount at more than KSh1.5 trillion.
“The man has his money, over 1.5 trillion. The man is dead, his wife is dead, he doesn’t know where to begin,” he said.
There is no independent evidence establishing that Chivayo held such funds for Mr Ruto. Neither the President nor his representatives had publicly responded to the allegation at the time of publication.
Election claims
Gachagua also linked Chivayo to allegations surrounding Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
He claimed the businessman was expected to act as an intermediary for a South Korean technology company that he alleged was being positioned to provide election technology in Kenya.
“So this guy was a local agent for those fellows. So this is the man he was to use to steal the vote. The guy is dead,” Gachagua alleged.
The former deputy president did not provide evidence linking Chivayo to an election-rigging operation.
Gachagua has previously raised concerns about alleged plans to use election technology to influence the 2027 vote, including claims involving South Korean firm Miru Systems. Those claims have also been disputed and require evidence.
Chivayo’s death
Chivayo, 43, died last Wednesday when a helicopter carrying him, his wife Lucy Muteke and other passengers crashed in the Marondera area of Zimbabwe. All six people aboard were reported dead. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa later confirmed Chivayo’s death.
Authorities are investigating the crash. Preliminary findings indicate that fuel spilled after the helicopter struck the ground and a fire followed. Investigators have not yet established what caused the aircraft to crash.
Chivayo was a prominent and politically connected businessman who was known to have relationships with several African leaders, including Ruto. His death has since drawn attention across the region.
Gachagua also appeared to address any suggestion that he was connected to Chivayo’s death.
“William Ruto, please don’t blame Riggy G. I didn’t kill this guy. I was in the United States. The accident happened in Zimbabwe. Surely I have nothing to do with it,” he said.
The allegations about the alleged KSh1.5 trillion, money transfers and the 2027 election remain claims made by Gachagua and have not been independently verified.
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