KENYANS QUESTION RUTO AFTER VIRAL VIDEO OF HIM DRIVING ZIMBABWE TYCOON CHIVAYO
NAIROBI — Kenyans have reacted with anger and ridicule after Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo released a selfie video of himself being chauffeured by President William Ruto.
Chivayo, who attended the engagement party of Ruto’s daughter, claimed the President “offered to drive and drop me 3km to the helipad where I had left my helicopter.”
The clip, showing Chivayo in the passenger seat filming Ruto behind the wheel, has triggered a wave of criticism online and from the opposition.
Many Kenyans questioned why a foreign businessman with a contested record enjoys unrestricted access to State House. Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has previously described Chivayo as a convicted fraudster and demanded answers over his frequent visits to Kenya, saying his presence compromises national prestige.
“Next he will be walking with a cup of tea with a half won coat at 6am. The headline will be “hardworking president”. We have his diary when elections are around the corner. Hustler nyinyi,” wrote Edward Njagi on X.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has also accused Ruto of associating with individuals linked to disputed elections across Africa.
“Whenever he comes to Kenya, he arrives via Eldoret Airport. We must begin to ask, what is it that they do with William Ruto?” Muturi said at a recent press briefing.
However, some Kenyans noticed something else: the president and his guest did not have their seat belts on.
“As Kenyans we think Mr. President you’re not setting a good example on the rule of law. If you don’t have a seatbelt on how do you expect us to have them on?” wrote a TikTok user.
Some, however, found the whole incident amusing.
Chivayo, director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and known for his flamboyant lifestyle, has become a regular visitor to State House, meeting Ruto at Sagana State Lodge, Nairobi and recently at Wajir State Lodge.
His visits have come amid reports that his firm, IMC Construction Kenya, is part of a consortium awarded a Sh375 billion tender to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
While some supporters defended Ruto’s gesture as simple hospitality, others online branded the video as showmanship. “Huyu criminal ashajua weakness ya Wakenya,” one post read.
Kenyan State House is yet to comment on the video.