Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that President William Ruto had business dealings with Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, claiming the businessman was used to hold money on the president’s behalf.

Chivayo and his wife died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe, an incident that has sparked public debate and speculation over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Speaking during an engagement with clergy in Boston, USA, on Sunday, October 4, 2026, Gachagua claimed that Chivayo received money in dollars and transported it by plane to private airstrips, where he kept the funds.

“They were doing business together, and he is a man he has been using for money laundering. He gets money in dollars, that man comes with a plane, lands in a private airstrip, and takes the money to keep for him,” Gachagua claimed.

Gachagua said he was saddened by the deaths and sent condolences to the family, while distancing himself from any involvement in the crash.

“The guy has crashed in a helicopter, and we are sorry, and we send our condolences to his relatives,” he said.

Why Presient Ruto is worried about Chivayo’s death

The former Deputy President claimed the deaths had left Ruto worried about money held by Chivayo.

“And Kasongo has gone berserk. This man has his money,” Gachagua said, referring to Ruto.

Gachagua further claimed that the amount involved was more than Ksh1.5 trillion, without providing evidence to substantiate the claim.

“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 said.

He also dismissed suggestions that he or opposition leaders could have been involved in Chivayo’s death.

“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,” Gachagua said.

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He concluded by accusing the president of having obtained the reported money through theft.

“And this is money you stole. Wacha ijisaidie watu wengine. That’s why he is so mad,” he said.

Gachagua links Chivayo’s death to 2027 election technology

Gachagua also linked Chivayo’s death to his earlier allegations surrounding the procurement of election technology ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He alleged that an arrangement had been made involving IEBC and South Korean election technology company Miru Systems, claiming that tender specifications had been designed to favour the company.

“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 specs were tailor-made for that company in South Korea,” Gachagua alleged.

He further claimed that Chivayo was acting as a local agent for the South Korean firm and was allegedly intended to help facilitate an attempt to manipulate the 2027 vote.

“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,” Gachagua said.