Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a controversial figure who developed a high-profile relationship with President William Ruto, has died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe.
Chivayo, 43, was among six people killed when the aircraft crashed in the Marondera Rural area, east of Harare, at about 5pm on Wednesday, according to Zimbabwe media.
His wife, Lucy Muteke, was also killed in the crash, according to Zimbabwean media reports and a family spokesperson.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that an aircraft carrying six people had crashed in the area, while government spokesperson Nick Mangwana later confirmed that there were no survivors.
“The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred,” Mangwana said, adding that the aircraft had been carrying a high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots.
Police said the identities of the victims would be formally confirmed.
The crash brings to an abrupt end the life of a businessman whose growing visibility in Kenya had been closely associated with his relationship with President Ruto.
Chivayo had become a familiar face at State House Nairobi and other presidential residences, documenting several meetings with Ruto on his social media accounts.
He first attracted significant attention in Kenya after sharing photographs of meetings with Ruto at the President’s private residence in Kilgoris and State House in Nairobi.
In January 2025, Chivayo described a meeting at State House as a courtesy visit during which the two discussed renewable energy. He returned several times, including meetings with Ruto at State House, Sagana State Lodge and Wajir State Lodge.
In June this year, Chivayo again met Ruto at State House shortly before the President travelled to France for the G7 Summit.
The businessman recently drew widespread attention after posting a video showing Ruto personally driving him to a helicopter at the President’s private farm in Kilgoris.
The encounter triggered debate in Kenya over the businessman’s unusually close access to the President.
Chivayo described his relationship with Ruto as one based on “faith, respect and mentorship”, while denying that he had used the relationship to obtain favours or government contracts.
His visibility in Kenya was also linked with attempts to expand his business interests in the country.
In June, Kenyan media reported that his company, IMC Construction Kenya, had been included in a consortium linked to the proposed expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a project reported at the time to be worth Sh375 billion.
The reports generated fresh scrutiny because of Chivayo’s proximity to Ruto.
However, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir subsequently denied that Chivayo’s company was involved in the JKIA project, saying the company had not participated in the tender and had no role or association with the project.
Chirchir also disputed the reported Sh375 billion cost, saying the project would not exceed Sh154.2 billion.
In Zimbabwe, Chivayo was best known as the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure company involved in major government-linked projects.
His company was awarded a contract to develop the 100MW Gwanda solar project, a deal that subsequently became embroiled in controversy over implementation, payments and delays. Chivayo denied wrongdoing and maintained that his business dealings were legitimate.
His conspicuous lifestyle also made him a major social-media personality, with posts featuring luxury vehicles, private aircraft, expensive gifts and high-profile political figures.
His relationships with political leaders extended beyond Kenya and Zimbabwe. He was also publicly associated with senior political figures in the region such as Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan and was known for making high-value donations and gifts.
Last month, he gifted a brand-new 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series ZX vehicles to pastor Felix Angel (Spirit Embassy) and pastor Elijah (Mount Gilead), alongside $10,000 each for fuel. He also gave $250,000 in cash and pledged a Rolls-Royce Ghost facelift for prophet Angel’s wife.
His relationship with Ruto, however, came under scrutiny because of the frequency and informality of their encounters.
By August, for instance, Chivayo had documented at least six meetings with Ruto since January 2025, including at State House, the President’s private residence and State Lodges.
