Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo/SCREENGRABPresident William Ruto’s decision to personally drive Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo to a helipad at his private residence in Kilgoris has once again drawn attention to the close relationship between the two.
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.
