Senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has broke his silence after the JKIA deal was awarded to Zimbabwe businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Through an article written by the Standard Newspaper Publications. Chivayo has been a frequent visitor in the country, especially at Statehouse.
And this raising the question of why Ruto’s administration is awarding him the multi-billion mega business deal.
President William Ruto and Wicknell Chivayo share a notably close personal and business relationship that has drawn significant public and political scrutiny in Kenya.
Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman and self-styled “Sir Wicknell,” is a frequent visitor to State House and presidential residences, including meetings at Sagana State Lodge, Wajir State Lodge, and even Ruto’s rural home in Kilgoris.
The pair have been photographed together on multiple occasions, with Chivayo publicly praising Ruto as a “visionary leader” and “mentor,” while discussing servant leadership, faith, and Pan-African, Chivayo known for his ties to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF, as well as past convictions for fraud and ongoing allegations of involvement in inflated government tenders, money laundering, and controversial deals across Southern Africa, has positioned himself as an investor in Kenya’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
Their engagements often center on multimillion-dollar projects, particularly renewable energy (solar, geothermal, hydropower) and major contracts like the Sh375 billion ($2.9 billion) expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where Chivayo’s IMC Construction Kenya is reportedly partnered with Chinese firms.
Critics, including Kenyan opposition figures, question the access granted to Chivayo amid his controversial background, suggesting it reflects concerns over who influences power and potential risks of graft, especially ahead of elections.
Supporters frame the relationship as mutually beneficial for investment and regional cooperation. Chivayo has described Kenya as his “second home” and expressed admiration for Ruto’s energy ambitions, such as targeting 12,000 MW by 2030.
