President William Ruto has recently spent time with a new face named Wicknell Chivanga, sharing friendly photos that suggest close ties. This Zimbabwean businessman claims connections with leaders across Southern Africa and calls himself 'Sir' despite lacking official knighthood. He appears unusually close to President Ruto at various events, displaying confident smiles that suggest he feels completely at ease around Kenya's top leader. Wikipedia describes this controversial Southern African celebrity as someone "known for his controversial rise to wealth and subsequent involvement in high-profile corruption scandals."
Many Zimbabwean media outlets portray Chivanga as someone who enjoys expensive things and moves between political and social circles with flashy behavior. He first caught Kenyan attention around January 5 after posting pictures from Ruto's fancy Kilgoris home. These images showed Chivanga standing next to the President, dressed casually and smiling broadly, accompanied by his girlfriend Lucy "Lulu" Muteke. Chivanga rarely travels anywhere without Lulu, whom he started dating after his messy separation from his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda.
After meeting Ruto, Chivanga posted a rambling message on X that described their encounter with mixed grammar, excessive praise, and many capital letters. He wrote about enjoying helicopter views before visiting "His Excellency the President" and the First Lady at their farm. He called meeting Ruto "a profound honor" and praised the President's "deep humility" and "unmatched dedication." The businessman described Ruto as "astute, visionary, and unwavering" and claimed Kenya had become an innovation hub under his leadership.
Kenyans criticized this post immediately for its excessive flattery toward President Ruto. Chivanga continued praising Kenya, saying it would become his "second home" because of its "unmatched hospitality and romance of its landscapes." Many Kenyans questioned why President Ruto was associated with someone repeatedly linked to fraud and questionable business practices across Africa. Journalist Ferdinand Omondi responded sharply, mentioning allegations and legal problems connected to Chivanga, including "unaccounted millions" from the Gwanda Solar Project.
Just three weeks later, Chivanga met President Ruto again at State House Nairobi, bringing girlfriend Lulu along as usual. The next day, he also met with Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu. He posted on X about these meetings and positioned himself as central to Africa's sustainable energy efforts. He wrote about Zimbabwe's potential to "lead Africa's energy revolution" thanks to its "abundant solar resources" and mentioned looking forward to funding opportunities from the summit.
Last November, Chivanga caused controversy when Namibia's electoral commission gave an "emergency" contract to his connected company. Media reported widespread anger after South African company Ren-Form CC, linked to Chivanga, received N$6.2m (about Ksh. 45 million) to print ballot papers for Namibia's November 27 elections. That same year, around July, Zimbabwe's Anti-Corruption Commission investigated Chivanga and government officials regarding a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission scandal.
This investigation eventually led authorities to arrest his business associates, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, on separate charges. They allegedly embezzled funds from a $7.7m (approximately Ksh. 900 million) government contract meant to supply goats through the Presidential Goat Scheme. Last June, Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF Youth League demanded Chivanga stop damaging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's reputation after audio recordings circulated suggesting Chivanga controlled the government. The Youth League called these recordings "unfortunate, regrettable and mischievous."
Chivanga quickly denied making these recordings, stating he "categorically refute, deny and dismiss with contempt" claims he created or shared such messages. Many Kenyans have expressed concern about Ruto's relationship with Chivanga, urging the President to reconsider these associations and protect the dignity of his office. Despite public concerns, Chivanga continues building influence with African presidents, strengthening his position as he establishes himself among government power brokers throughout the continent.
Many Zimbabwean media outlets portray Chivanga as someone who enjoys expensive things and moves between political and social circles with flashy behavior. He first caught Kenyan attention around January 5 after posting pictures from Ruto's fancy Kilgoris home. These images showed Chivanga standing next to the President, dressed casually and smiling broadly, accompanied by his girlfriend Lucy "Lulu" Muteke. Chivanga rarely travels anywhere without Lulu, whom he started dating after his messy separation from his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda.
After meeting Ruto, Chivanga posted a rambling message on X that described their encounter with mixed grammar, excessive praise, and many capital letters. He wrote about enjoying helicopter views before visiting "His Excellency the President" and the First Lady at their farm. He called meeting Ruto "a profound honor" and praised the President's "deep humility" and "unmatched dedication." The businessman described Ruto as "astute, visionary, and unwavering" and claimed Kenya had become an innovation hub under his leadership.
Kenyans criticized this post immediately for its excessive flattery toward President Ruto. Chivanga continued praising Kenya, saying it would become his "second home" because of its "unmatched hospitality and romance of its landscapes." Many Kenyans questioned why President Ruto was associated with someone repeatedly linked to fraud and questionable business practices across Africa. Journalist Ferdinand Omondi responded sharply, mentioning allegations and legal problems connected to Chivanga, including "unaccounted millions" from the Gwanda Solar Project.
Just three weeks later, Chivanga met President Ruto again at State House Nairobi, bringing girlfriend Lulu along as usual. The next day, he also met with Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu. He posted on X about these meetings and positioned himself as central to Africa's sustainable energy efforts. He wrote about Zimbabwe's potential to "lead Africa's energy revolution" thanks to its "abundant solar resources" and mentioned looking forward to funding opportunities from the summit.
Last November, Chivanga caused controversy when Namibia's electoral commission gave an "emergency" contract to his connected company. Media reported widespread anger after South African company Ren-Form CC, linked to Chivanga, received N$6.2m (about Ksh. 45 million) to print ballot papers for Namibia's November 27 elections. That same year, around July, Zimbabwe's Anti-Corruption Commission investigated Chivanga and government officials regarding a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission scandal.
This investigation eventually led authorities to arrest his business associates, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, on separate charges. They allegedly embezzled funds from a $7.7m (approximately Ksh. 900 million) government contract meant to supply goats through the Presidential Goat Scheme. Last June, Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF Youth League demanded Chivanga stop damaging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's reputation after audio recordings circulated suggesting Chivanga controlled the government. The Youth League called these recordings "unfortunate, regrettable and mischievous."
Chivanga quickly denied making these recordings, stating he "categorically refute, deny and dismiss with contempt" claims he created or shared such messages. Many Kenyans have expressed concern about Ruto's relationship with Chivanga, urging the President to reconsider these associations and protect the dignity of his office. Despite public concerns, Chivanga continues building influence with African presidents, strengthening his position as he establishes himself among government power brokers throughout the continent.
