By The Kenyan Diaspora News

NAIROBI: Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a series of allegations linking President William Ruto to late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, claiming the tycoon was involved in financial dealings with the President and an alleged plan to influence Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

Gachagua made the claims while addressing clergy in Boston, United States, days after Chivayo died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people.

According to Gachagua, Chivayo had business dealings with President Ruto and was allegedly used to receive and hold money on the President’s behalf. He claimed the businessman was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion belonging to Ruto at the time of his death.

“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 alleged.

He further claimed that Chivayo was involved in moving and keeping funds for the President, alleging that money in US dollars was transported to Kenya before being taken to private airstrips.

Gachagua, however, did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The former Deputy President also accused Chivayo of being connected to an alleged plan to interfere with Kenya’s 2027 elections through the acquisition of election technology.

Gachagua claimed the Zimbabwean businessman was expected to act as a local intermediary for a South Korean technology company and alleged that tender specifications had been designed to favour the unnamed firm.

“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 Chivayo was expected to facilitate the alleged arrangement in Kenya, but again provided no evidence linking the businessman to an election interference scheme.

Chivayo, a prominent Zimbabwean businessman known for his political connections, died in a helicopter crash in the Marondera Rural area, east of Harare, on Wednesday. His wife and four other people also died in the incident.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed Chivayo’s death. Authorities are investigating the crash, with preliminary reports indicating that fuel spilled following the impact before the aircraft caught fire. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.

Chivayo had previously been seen publicly with several African political leaders, including President Ruto.

Gachagua also appeared to address speculation surrounding Chivayo’s death, telling Ruto not to attribute the businessman’s death to him.

“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.

Neither President Ruto nor his representatives had publicly responded to Gachagua’s allegations at the time of publication.

The claims remain unverified, and no evidence was presented during Gachagua’s address to independently substantiate the alleged financial or election-related links between Ruto and Chivayo.