South African media personality Sizwe Dhlomo has questioned a claim by former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that President William Ruto lost billions after Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo died. Gachagua claimed that Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion on Ruto's behalf when he died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe. Dhlomo took to social media to express his skepticism about the claim, sparking a wider debate online about the size of the alleged amount.
Sizwe Dhlomo, known for his work in radio and entertainment, questioned the KSh1.5 trillion claim on social media. He quote-retweeted a post by @kamauwaruhiu, which questioned the size of the amount mentioned by Gachagua. The post said that if Gachagua's claim was true, it would mean that Ruto had 34% of Kenya's budget. Dhlomo then asked Kenyan readers if the figure sounded realistic to them.
Gachagua made the allegations during a public engagement with clergy in Boston, United States, on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The former deputy president claimed that Chivayo had been holding more than KSh1.5 trillion on behalf of Ruto. Gachagua alleged that Chivayo had business dealings with Ruto and was used to move and keep large amounts of money. He claimed that the money was received in dollars and transported by plane to private airstrips before being stored.
Gachagua also claimed that Ruto was left worried after Chivayo and his wife died in the helicopter crash. Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe on 30 September 2026. Gachagua used "Kasongo" as a nickname for Ruto. The claims have not been independently verified, and Gachagua did not provide documentary evidence during his address to support the allegation.
Social media users reacted to Gachagua's claim, with some questioning the amount involved and others debating the credibility of the allegation. @Pollsterrrr1 compared the claim with an earlier controversy involving former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. Another user, @herb78292, remained uncertain, while @AmandaTinotenda wrote that Chivayo was known for spending large amounts of money, buying Range Rovers for the general public in Zimbabwe.
The discussion also brought attention to Chivayo's reputation for spending large amounts of money. Some users believed that the reaction to Gachagua's claim was being driven by people's existing opinions about Chivayo. @mutanttwotethis wrote that people hate Chivayo and want to believe everything negative about him. Another commenter, @bantubam_Tbose, made a broader observation about social media and political discussions.
The debate continues to centre on one major question: is Gachagua's claim that Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion for Ruto credible? For now, the allegation remains unverified, while Dhlomo's response has added another voice to the growing public debate. The claims have sparked a heated discussion online, with many Kenyans and Zimbabweans weighing in on the issue.
Key points
- Sizwe Dhlomo questions the credibility of Gachagua's claim.
- Gachagua claims Chivayo held KSh1.5 trillion on behalf of Ruto.
- The allegation remains unverified, sparking a wider debate online.
