Who is flashy Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo

Chivayo captured the moment on video during a visit to the
Ruto family’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, where he had
attended a traditional Kalenjin ceremony involving the President’s daughter,
Charlene Ruto.

The businessman appeared visibly excited as Ruto drove him
in a vehicle towards the helipad.

“I am being driven by the President of Kenya,” Chivayo said
in the video.

“Being driven by the President of the Republic. Ah, no, no.
God is the greatest,” he added, as Ruto could be heard laughing.

The light-hearted encounter has nevertheless raised
questions among Kenyans about who Chivayo is and how he has developed such
close access to the Kenyan President.

Chivayo has repeatedly documented his encounters with Ruto,
posting photographs and videos from State House, the President’s private
residence in Kilgoris and other locations where the two have met.

His relationship with Ruto first attracted significant
public attention in January 2025 when he shared photographs from the
President’s Kilgoris residence. He subsequently met Ruto at State House and at
other official and private locations.

On January 27, 2025, Chivayo visited Ruto at State House,
Nairobi, describing the meeting as a courtesy visit during which they discussed
renewable energy.

He returned to State House on April 30, 2025, where he was
photographed with Ruto and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Chivayo has also documented subsequent encounters with Ruto,
including a January 2026 meeting at Sagana State Lodge and a visit to Wajir
State Lodge in June 2026.

On June 15, 2026, he again met Ruto at State House in
Nairobi. Chivayo said the meeting took place the previous evening, shortly
before the President travelled to France for the G7 Summit.

The repeated encounters have given Chivayo a level of
visibility around the Kenyan presidency that has attracted considerable public
interest.

Who is Chivayo?

Chivayo is the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and
infrastructure company. Born in 1982, he has become one of Zimbabwe’s most
prominent-and controversial-business figures, particularly because of his
government-linked contracts, political connections and flamboyant lifestyle

Chivayo rose to prominence through large infrastructure and
energy projects. His company, Intratrek, was awarded a major contract for the
Gwanda Solar Project, a proposed 100-megawatt solar plant in Zimbabwe.

The project became controversial after delays and questions
over the handling of funds and its implementation. Chivayo has defended his
business record and denied wrongdoing.

His personal lifestyle has also made him a celebrity on
social media. He frequently posts photographs and videos showing luxury cars,
private jets, expensive gifts and meetings with senior political figures.

He has cultivated relationships with several African
political leaders, including Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chivayo has continued to publicly portray his interactions
with Ruto as part of his business and investment engagements.

His frequent appearances alongside the President have
nonetheless raised questions over the extent of his access to the Head of
State, particularly given that their encounters have occurred not only during
official functions but also at Ruto’s private home and family events.

The Kilgoris video offered another glimpse into that
relationship, with Chivayo appearing delighted as the President personally
drove him to the helipad.