Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made unverified allegations linking President William Ruto to late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, claiming the tycoon held more than KSh1.5 trillion on behalf of the President before his death.
Gachagua made the claims while addressing clergy in Boston, United States, on Sunday, October 4, 2026, days after Chivayo died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and other passengers in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe.
Gachagua claimed Chivayo had business dealings with Ruto and was allegedly used to move and store large amounts of money for the President.
He did not provide documentary evidence to support the allegations, which have not been independently verified.
Gachagua Claims Chivayo Held Ruto’s Money
Gachagua said Chivayo was a business associate of Ruto and alleged that the businessman transported money in dollars and kept it on the President’s behalf.
“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 claimed.
He further alleged:
“He is a man he has been using for money laundering. He gets money in dollars, that man comes with a plane, lands in a private airstrip and takes the money to keep for him.”
Gachagua claimed that Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion belonging to Ruto when he died.
“The man has his money, over 1.5 trillion. The man is dead, his wife is dead, he doesn’t know where to begin,” Gachagua claimed.
No evidence supporting the KSh1.5 trillion claim was presented during the address. President Ruto or his representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Gachagua Links Chivayo to 2027 Election Claims
Gachagua also alleged that Chivayo was involved in a plan to influence Kenya’s 2027 General Election through election technology.
He claimed the Zimbabwean businessman was to serve as a local intermediary for an unnamed South Korean company.
“That guy is an expert in stealing elections, and he is the one who has been burglarising elections in Africa,” Gachagua alleged.
He further claimed that tender specifications had been designed to favour the South Korean company and that Chivayo was expected to act as its local agent.
“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,” he claimed.
Gachagua did not provide evidence linking Chivayo, the unnamed South Korean company or any proposed election technology to a plan to interfere with Kenya’s 2027 election.
Chivayo Died in Zimbabwe Helicopter Crash
Chivayo and his wife were among those killed when a helicopter crashed in the Marondera area east of Harare on September 30, 2026.
Zimbabwean authorities confirmed there were no survivors, while President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed Chivayo’s death.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe said preliminary findings showed that fuel spilled after the helicopter struck the ground before a fire broke out. Investigators had not established what caused the crash.
Chivayo was a prominent Zimbabwean businessman who maintained relationships with several African political leaders, including President Ruto. Following his death, Ruto described him as a “dear friend” and sent condolences to his family.
Gachagua also sought to distance himself from any suggestion that he had a role in Chivayo’s death, telling Ruto:
“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.”
