Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has once again turned heads in Kenya after showcasing an extravagant fleet of luxury vehicles and a helicopter during his latest visit to the country, days after attending President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto’s traditional engagement ceremony.
Chivayo, a flamboyant businessman known for his high-profile lifestyle, shared glimpses of the vehicles and aircraft used during a family outing in Kenya, offering another look at the scale of luxury associated with his travels.
The Zimbabwean tycoon’s latest display came shortly after his appearance at Charlene’s Koito ceremony, held at President Ruto’s Intona Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The high-profile ceremony attracted prominent political, business and social figures from Kenya and beyond. Chivayo attended the event with his wife, Lucy, further placing him in the spotlight in Kenya.
Luxury cars and helicopter take centre stage
Photos and videos shared from Chivayo’s Kenyan trip showed a collection of high-end vehicles alongside a helicopter used by the businessman and his family.
The display added to Chivayo’s reputation for publicly showcasing an extravagant lifestyle built around luxury cars, aircraft, designer accessories and lavish gifts.
His latest Kenyan appearance followed another widely discussed moment involving President Ruto.
After Charlene’s engagement ceremony, Ruto personally drove Chivayo and his wife for several kilometres to a helipad using a luxury Lexus LX 600.
Chivayo captured the unusual moment on camera and described the ride as one of the most memorable experiences of his life.
The incident attracted considerable attention online, with some Kenyans questioning the level of access the Zimbabwean businessman appears to enjoy around the Kenyan president.
The episode also provided a fresh glimpse into the close social relationship between Chivayo and the Ruto family.
Chivayo’s growing visibility in Kenya
Chivayo has increasingly become a familiar figure in Kenyan political and social circles despite being a Zimbabwean national.
In June 2026, he visited Nairobi aboard a Gulfstream G550 private jet, which Kenyan media reported was among his luxury acquisitions.
The aircraft was estimated by local reports to be worth about US$34 million, although valuations of privately owned aircraft can vary depending on their configuration and condition.
His movements in Kenya have subsequently attracted heightened public interest, particularly because of his reported access to President Ruto.
A Nation report previously highlighted questions surrounding Chivayo’s frequent visits to Kenya and his access to State House.
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi also publicly questioned Chivayo’s links to Ruto, including claims about his travel arrangements through Eldoret.
Those claims have contributed to public debate about the nature of the businessman’s relationship with the Kenyan president.
Neither the existence of a friendship nor Chivayo’s attendance at Ruto family events, however, by itself establishes any improper business relationship between the two men.
Why Chivayo’s relationship with Ruto attracts attention
Chivayo’s association with Ruto has generated controversy partly because of his own history in Zimbabwe and his unusually public displays of wealth.
The businessman rose to prominence through Intratrek Zimbabwe, whose biggest known project was the Gwanda Solar Power Project, a contract initially valued at roughly US$173 million.
The project became the subject of a long-running legal and political controversy after Intratrek received an advance payment and the project subsequently stalled.
Chivayo was charged in Zimbabwe over allegations linked to about US$5.6 million received in connection with the project. He denied wrongdoing.
Importantly, the criminal case did not end in a conviction. Zimbabwean courts ultimately cleared Chivayo and Intratrek of the fraud allegations.
A magistrate later found that the criminal charges did not establish fraud, while court proceedings over the contractual dispute also produced findings favourable to Intratrek.
The legal history is therefore more complicated than simply describing Chivayo as a convicted fraudster.
He was accused and prosecuted, but he was acquitted.
From court battles to a life of extraordinary spending
Despite the controversies surrounding his business career, Chivayo has continued to cultivate a public image centred on enormous wealth.
He has frequently made headlines in Zimbabwe for purchasing expensive vehicles and giving high-value gifts to musicians, broadcasters, sports officials and other prominent personalities.
His spending has sometimes generated questions about the sources of his wealth and the relationship between business, politics and influence in Zimbabwe.
At the same time, Chivayo has consistently presented himself as a successful businessman and philanthropist.
His supporters point to his investments, charitable activities and high-profile sponsorships, while critics have questioned whether his extraordinary spending is compatible with the controversies surrounding some of his business dealings.
Recent reporting has also highlighted investigations and allegations involving Chivayo, although he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has benefited from favourable legal and official findings in several matters.
A friendship that continues to attract scrutiny
Chivayo’s latest display of wealth in Kenya comes at a time when his relationship with Ruto is receiving greater public attention.
His attendance at Charlene Ruto’s traditional engagement, followed by the extraordinary moment in which the Kenyan president personally drove him to a waiting helicopter, placed the businessman firmly in the Kenyan spotlight.
The incident was particularly striking because Chivayo was not merely photographed alongside the president; he was filmed sitting in the front passenger seat as Ruto took the wheel.
The Standard reported that Ruto drove Chivayo and his wife for approximately three kilometres to the helipad after the ceremony.
For Chivayo, the moment appeared to reinforce his close ties with the Kenyan first family.
For critics, however, it raised questions about how a controversial foreign businessman has developed such extraordinary access to the Kenyan president.
Chivayo remains unapologetic about his lifestyle
Rather than keeping his wealth private, Chivayo has made luxury part of his public persona.
From private jets and helicopters to expensive cars, watches and multimillion-shilling gifts, the Zimbabwean businessman regularly shares aspects of his lifestyle with his followers.
His latest Kenyan showcase is therefore consistent with a pattern that has made him one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable, and controversial, wealthy personalities.
As his association with Ruto continues to attract attention, Chivayo’s lavish displays are likely to remain a subject of discussion in both Kenya and Zimbabwe, particularly whenever they coincide with high-profile political or family events.
For now, the businessman appears comfortable with the spotlight, continuing to showcase a lifestyle of private aircraft, luxury automobiles and high-profile connections wherever he travels.
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