Flamboyant Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has continued to praise President William Ruto, particularly after his company, IMC Construction, was recently awarded the Sh375 billion tender to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The deal has reignited debate over government transparency and revived memories of the protests that followed the proposed takeover of the airport by India’s Adani Group.
Just hours before departing for the G7 Summit in France on June 16, 2026, President Ruto hosted the Zimbabwean businessman at State House, Nairobi.
Posting on his X account, Chivayo praised President Ruto as a leader focused on delivering results.
“Yesterday evening, I once again had the pleasure of paying a courtesy visit to His Excellency President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi. This visit comes shortly after a successful conclusion of his landmark state visit to South Africa,” Chivayo wrote.
RAIS WA MATENDO ??...A President of ACTION ??
— sir_wicknell. (@wicknellchivayo) June 16, 2026
Yesterday evening, I once again had the pleasure of paying a COURTESY VISIT on HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO at STATE HOUSE in NAIROBI ??. This visit comes shortly after the successful conclusion of his landmark STATE VISIT… pic.twitter.com/CfCdgTnPpO
The airport expansion tender was initially linked to the Adani Group in 2024 for an estimated Sh240 billion. However, the deal was later cancelled after Kenyan labour unions objected to some of the contractual terms.
The project was re-advertised earlier this year and awarded last week to a consortium led by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) following a competitive bidding process.
The state-owned firm, which recorded revenues of Sh17.7 trillion in 2023, partnered with its subsidiary China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and IMC Construction as joint venture partners on the project.
Chivayo has been a frequent visitor to State House, Nairobi.
According to his social media posts, he has documented at least six meetings with President Ruto since January 2025, often publishing lengthy tributes in capital letters.
One of his earliest publicly known meetings with Ruto took place at the President’s private farm in Kilgoris in early 2025, where Chivayo described him as one of Africa’s most distinguished leaders and called the encounter “a rare extraordinary privilege.”
On January 27, 2025, he returned to State House, Nairobi, for what he described as “a courtesy visit to discuss renewable energy.”
In April 2025, he posted photographs of himself with both President Ruto and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House, captioning the image, “The richest people in the world build networks.”
While Chivayo regularly praises the Kenyan Head of State, his interactions with the President continue to spark public debate.
The close association, including Chivayo accompanying Ruto to events such as Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir, has repeatedly led some Kenyans and political critics to question the nature of their relationship.