Gachagua Renews “State Capture” Accusations Against Ruto After Chivayo’s Death

Story By Staff Reporter

Kenyan politics has been in the spotlight since the death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo in a helicopter crash last week. Chivayo was reported to be a friend of President William Ruto, and NTV Kenya reported that Ruto had met him at State House three times.

In a recent video, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua renewed his accusations against Ruto. His remarks do not concern the crash, which police and aviation authorities are still investigating. This article summarises what Gachagua said. The claims are his own, they have not been proven, and the presidency has not accepted them.

What Gachagua Alleges

Gachagua says Ruto has used his power to take control of state assets and build a large personal business empire across several sectors. According to the video, he named banking, hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, education and healthcare.

He claims Ruto’s wealth now exceeds that of the Kenyatta and Moi families combined, and that this happened in four years. He also says Ruto has driven other Kenyans out of business.

Among his specific claims, Gachagua said:

• Banking: a bank linked to Ruto holds money for the Social Health Authority, affordable housing and county governments. In earlier remarks he named Sidian Bank and claimed its assets grew because of deposits from state institutions and the Nairobi County Government.
• Manufacturing: Ruto owns factories producing steel, cement, MDF boards and tiles.
• Education and health: Ruto is building a university in Eldoret, and Gachagua says he himself helped stop an attempt to acquire Nairobi Hospital.
• Other sectors: hotels, insurance and ICT, with an interest in the matatu industry.

None of these claims was backed by documents in the video.

Part of a Wider Campaign

These remarks continue a line of attack Gachagua has used for months. He has described Ruto’s alleged business interests as “state capture” and said he would use the opposition’s platform to end the conflict of interest. He has also said he is compiling a list of businesses he links to Ruto and would call for a boycott of their products.

The Other Side

Ruto’s allies have rejected Gachagua’s attacks. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the President’s record and accused Gachagua and the opposition of fighting the government on ethnic grounds. The same report says ruling-party MPs criticised Gachagua’s claims about the government’s performance.

What We Don’t Know

• No court or investigation has found that Ruto owns the businesses Gachagua named.
• The video offered no documents or ownership records.
• Gachagua is an opposition politician and a rival of Ruto ahead of the 2027 election, so his claims should be read in that context.

Key Points

• Gachagua alleges Ruto has used state power to build a business empire. The claims are unproven.
• Ruto’s allies have rejected his attacks on the government.
• The allegations are separate from the Chivayo crash investigation.
• Readers should look for official statements and independent reporting.

This article summarises one politician’s allegations and does not verify or endorse them. It will be updated if Ruto or his office responds.