Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive but unsubstantiated allegations that Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion (over US$11 billion) on behalf of President William Ruto when he died in a helicopter crash.
Gachagua, who served as Ruto’s deputy from September 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024, also alleged that Chivayo was connected to a plan involving South Korean technology intended to manipulate Kenya’s general election on August 10, 2027.
He made the allegations during an engagement with members of the clergy in Boston, United States.
Gachagua did not produce documentary evidence to support his claims, which Nehanda Radio could not independently verify. Ruto and his representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
Gachagua alleges money was moved by plane
Gachagua claimed that Chivayo had conducted business with Ruto and was used to transport and hold money on the Kenyan 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 said.
“He is a man he has been using for money laundering. He gets money in dollars, that man comes with a plane, lands at a private airstrip and takes the money to keep for him.”
“The man has his money, over 1.5 trillion. The man is dead, his wife is dead, he doesn’t know where to begin. So the man is angry,” he claimed.
Referring to Ruto by the nickname “Kasongo”, Gachagua alleged that the President had “gone berserk” following Chivayo’s death because of the money supposedly held by the businessman.
He also distanced himself and other Kenyan opposition leaders from any suggestion that they were connected to the fatal crash.
“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. Opposition leaders have nothing to do with it,” he said.
“And this is money you stole. Wacha ijisaidie watu wengine. That’s why he is so mad.”
The Swahili phrase loosely translates to: “Let it now help other people.”
Alleged link to 2027 election technology
Gachagua further alleged that Chivayo was supposed to act as a local intermediary in an election technology arrangement involving Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and a 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.
“They had an arrangement with IEBC to introduce some technology from South Korea to manage the next elections. So, a tender was floated, and the specifications were tailor-made for that company in South Korea.”
Gachagua claimed that Chivayo was to serve as the company’s local agent and assist in manipulating the 2027 election.
“So, this Chivayo 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. The man is stuck. He doesn’t know where to begin,” he said.
Kenyan media identified the company referenced by Gachagua as Miru Systems, but no evidence has been presented publicly showing that Chivayo was its agent or that the company was involved in a scheme to manipulate the election.
Ruto mourned Chivayo as a dear friend
Gachagua’s allegations came days after Ruto issued an emotional condolence message describing Chivayo as a dear friend.
“Wicknell was a dear friend whose warmth touched many people,” Ruto wrote on X.
“I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent.”
Ruto extended his condolences to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the people of Zimbabwe and the families of those killed.
“May God grant Wicknell, Lucy and all those who perished eternal rest,” he said.
Chivayo died alongside his wife Lucy Muteke, her personal aide Senelisiwe Magagula and pilots Kelvin Tafirei Soda and Courage Mutavirwa when their helicopter crashed near Marondera on Wednesday.
Zimbabwean aviation authorities are investigating the crash. No official evidence has emerged suggesting that it involved foul play.
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