Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has drawn intense regional scrutiny after posting a bizarre selfie video on social media revealing that Kenyan President William Ruto personally drove him and his wife three kilometres to a helipad following a family celebration.
An Unprecedented Presidential Chauffeur Service in Nairobi
On August 10, Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo shared footage documenting an extraordinary encounter with Kenyan President William Ruto. According to NewsDay Zimbabwe, Chivayo had attended the traditional engagement celebration of President Ruto’s daughter, Charlene. Preparing to depart from a designated helipad, the controversial businessman was stunned when the Kenyan head of state offered to drive him and his wife to the aircraft.
In the widely circulated selfie video, Chivayo occupies the front passenger seat while President Ruto sits behind the steering wheel, laughing as he navigates the route. Chivayo’s wife is seated directly behind them. Visibly ecstatic during the clip, Chivayo exclaims, “I am being driven by the President of Kenya.”
Overwhelmed by Grace and Unmatched Humility
In a lengthy social media post accompanying the video, Chivayo described the three-kilometre journey as one of the most priceless moments of his life. He wrote that he sat in the vehicle overwhelmed with joy, questioning what kind of grace afforded him such treatment. He thanked President Ruto for unmatched humility and for showing him genuine love and kindness as his own child, noting that a brief drive for the president became a lifetime memory for him.
This viral display is far from an isolated incident. Chivayo frequently utilizes social media platforms to showcase his wealth, extravagant lifestyle, and access to high-ranking African political figures.
Scrutiny Over Political Access and Major Infrastructure Stakes
Chivayo’s increasingly cozy relationship with the Kenyan presidency has not gone unnoticed. In June, former Kenyan Attorney-General Justin Muturi publicly questioned the businessman’s extraordinary access to the country’s highest office. Muturi pointedly asked why the Zimbabwean national enjoyed such close physical proximity to Ruto, linking those political connections to broader questions regarding transparency.
Beyond social media optics, Chivayo has actively expanded his business footprint into Kenya. Last month, reports revealed that his wholly owned firm, IMC Construction Kenya, secured a stake in the US$2.9 billion expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Navigating Controversial Procurement and Regional Partnerships
The airport modernization initiative represents one of Kenya’s largest infrastructure undertakings. IMC Construction Kenya was brought into a consortium involving the Chinese state-owned construction giant China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) alongside its subsidiary, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). Kenya is slated to contribute approximately US$1.3 billion toward the project, with the remainder funded via domestic and Chinese banking institutions.
The venture carries heavy political baggage. The JKIA expansion previously faced intense controversy and a corruption investigation involving India’s Adani Group, which ultimately led to the termination of an earlier agreement. Bringing Chivayo’s firm into the new consortium has reignited public debate concerning procurement transparency in Kenya, cementing his controversial status across both Harare and Nairobi.
