The death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo in a helicopter crash has brought renewed attention to a man whose business interests, flamboyant lifestyle and highly publicised relationships with African presidents had made him a familiar name beyond his home country.
Popularly known as Sir Wicknell, Chivayo, who died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, was not an ordinary businessman in the eyes of many East Africans.
His growing visibility in the region was shaped not only by his investments in energy and infrastructure but also by photographs and videos showing him in the company of presidents and other influential political figures. For many people in Tanzania and Kenya, his name became familiar through images of presidential meetings, social media posts and reports of ambitious investment plans. Such moments raised questions about the business interests that brought a Zimbabwean entrepreneur into the region’s highest political circles.
Kenyan President William Ruto’s condolence message following his death offered perhaps the clearest indication of how close the businessman had become to some of the region’s political leadership.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe,” Ruto said.
Describing him as a dear friend, the Kenyan leader said he would remember Chivayo for his warmth, energy and “deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent”.
The message was significant because it went beyond the usual diplomatic condolences, openly acknowledging a personal friendship between a sitting president and a businessman whose regional profile had attracted considerable public attention.
Chivayo’s connection with East Africa was particularly visible in Kenya, where his appearances alongside Ruto became a subject of public discussion. He was photographed with the Kenyan President at State House Nairobi and other locations, while his social media accounts regularly offered glimpses of their interactions. One particularly memorable moment came in August 2026 when Chivayo attended the traditional engagement ceremony of Ruto’s daughter, Charlene, and Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaiah Yunke, at the President’s property in Kilgoris, Narok County.
After the ceremony, Ruto personally drove Chivayo to a helipad. The businessman recorded the experience and expressed excitement at being driven by the President.
Their association attracted further attention when Chivayo reportedly discussed investment opportunities with the Kenyan leadership, including a proposed US$200 million infrastructure investment.
His name also surfaced in discussions surrounding the proposed expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with reports linking his company, IMC Construction Kenya, to a Chinese consortium.
Tanzania was also part of his regional public profile. Chivayo frequently attracted attention through photographs and social media posts showing him in the company of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and other influential figures. Such images helped make him a recognisable personality across borders, although they did not, on their own, establish the nature of any investment agreements or official business arrangements.
The business behind the public profile
Away from the presidential photographs, Chivayo built his business profile around energy, infrastructure and construction, primarily through his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe.
One of his most prominent projects was the 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project, a major renewable energy development awarded to his company in 2014.
The project, intended to contribute to Zimbabwe’s electricity supply, became one of the most controversial government-linked business undertakings associated with his name. Its implementation experienced prolonged delays and disputes involving the contractor and the Zimbabwe Power Company, while questions surrounding an advance payment led to criminal proceedings.
Chivayo denied wrongdoing and was acquitted in 2024 after the court proceedings failed to establish a case against him.
In September 2026, reports indicated that the project was moving towards another implementation phase, following a new notice to proceed issued by the Zimbabwe Power Company.
His interests also extended beyond Zimbabwe, with reported opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure and construction in other African markets.
However, Chivayo’s public image was never without controversy.
While his supporters admired his generosity, business success and willingness to give away expensive vehicles and cash, critics questioned the sources of his wealth and the relationship between his business interests and political connections.
He regularly displayed luxury vehicles, designer clothing, expensive properties and gifts to musicians, religious leaders, politicians and ordinary people through social media.
For East Africans, particularly Tanzanians and Kenyans, this combination of business ambition, conspicuous wealth, political access and controversy made him an unusual regional personality.
For many people in Tanzania and Kenya, his name became familiar through images of presidential meetings, social media posts and reports of ambitious investment plans. Such moments raised questions about the business interests that brought a Zimbabwean entrepreneur into the region’s highest political circles.
Kenyan President William Ruto’s condolence message following his death offered perhaps the clearest indication of how close the businessman had become to some of the region’s political leadership.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe,” Ruto said.
Describing him as a dear friend, the Kenyan leader said he would remember Chivayo for his warmth, energy and “deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent”.
The message was significant because it went beyond the usual diplomatic condolences, openly acknowledging a personal friendship between a sitting president and a businessman whose regional profile had attracted considerable public attention.
Chivayo’s connection with East Africa was particularly visible in Kenya, where his appearances alongside Ruto became a subject of public discussion. He was photographed with the Kenyan President at State House Nairobi and other locations, while his social media accounts regularly offered glimpses of their interactions. One particularly memorable moment came in August 2026 when Chivayo attended the traditional engagement ceremony of Ruto’s daughter, Charlene, and Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaiah Yunke, at the President’s property in Kilgoris, Narok County.
After the ceremony, Ruto personally drove Chivayo to a helipad. The businessman recorded the experience and expressed excitement at being driven by the President.
Their association attracted further attention when Chivayo reportedly discussed investment opportunities with the Kenyan leadership, including a proposed US$200 million infrastructure investment.
His name also surfaced in discussions surrounding the proposed expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with reports linking his company, IMC Construction Kenya, to a Chinese consortium.
Tanzania was also part of his regional public profile. Chivayo frequently attracted attention through photographs and social media posts showing him in the company of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and other influential figures. Such images helped make him a recognisable personality across borders, although they did not, on their own, establish the nature of any investment agreements or official business arrangements.
The business behind the public profile
Away from the presidential photographs, Chivayo built his business profile around energy, infrastructure and construction, primarily through his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe.
One of his most prominent projects was the 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project, a major renewable energy development awarded to his company in 2014.
The project, intended to contribute to Zimbabwe’s electricity supply, became one of the most controversial government-linked business undertakings associated with his name. Its implementation experienced prolonged delays and disputes involving the contractor and the Zimbabwe Power Company, while questions surrounding an advance payment led to criminal proceedings.
Chivayo denied wrongdoing and was acquitted in 2024 after the court proceedings failed to establish a case against him.
In September 2026, reports indicated that the project was moving towards another implementation phase, following a new notice to proceed issued by the Zimbabwe Power Company.
His interests also extended beyond Zimbabwe, with reported opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure and construction in other African markets.
However, Chivayo’s public image was never without controversy.
While his supporters admired his generosity, business success and willingness to give away expensive vehicles and cash, critics questioned the sources of his wealth and the relationship between his business interests and political connections.
He regularly displayed luxury vehicles, designer clothing, expensive properties and gifts to musicians, religious leaders, politicians and ordinary people through social media.
For East Africans, particularly Tanzanians and Kenyans, this combination of business ambition, conspicuous wealth, political access and controversy made him an unusual regional personality.