Zimbabwean entrepreneur Wicknell Chivayo recalls Ruto driving him to his helicopter after Charlene’s Koito
By Steve Ireri, August 10, 2026Zimbabwean businessman and socialite Wicknell Chivayo has revealed an unusual encounter with President William Ruto after attending the traditional engagement celebration of the President’s daughter, Charlene Ruto.
In an X post on Monday, August 10, 2026, the Zimbabwean entrepreneur said he initially believed the engagement celebration was already the highlight of his day, only to discover that Ruto had one more surprise for him before he left.
“After attending the beautiful engagement celebration of the daughter of His Excellency, President William Samoei Ruto, I honestly thought the day could not get any more special,” Chivayo wrote.
He said the unexpected moment came as he was leaving the venue and realised that the President himself had offered to drive him to the helipad where he had left his helicopter.
According to Chivayo, the distance between the venue and the helipad was approximately three kilometres.
The businessman described the short journey as one of the most memorable experiences of his life, particularly because Ruto was personally behind the steering wheel.
Chivayo said he occupied the front passenger seat while his wife sat in the back, with Ruto driving them towards the helicopter.
“Imagine me sitting in the front passenger seat with my wife at the back while the President of the Republic of Kenya, the Head of State himself, was behind the steering wheel personally driving me to the chopper,” he wrote.
The unusual experience left Chivayo reflecting on his relationship with Ruto and what he described as an extraordinary display of favour and grace.
He said that despite having experienced an opulent lifestyle and numerous memorable moments, the journey stood out because it was something he had never experienced before.
“I sat there overwhelmed with joy, thinking, ‘God, what kind of grace is this?’” Chivayo wrote.
The businessman said he had enjoyed many exceptional experiences throughout his life, but being personally driven by a sitting head of state was a first for him.
“I have lived large and had many different and exceptionally beautiful experiences in my opulent lifestyle, but certainly this was a first,” he said.
Chivayo further described the approximately three-kilometre journey as a moment that would remain permanently etched in his memory.
“Those three kilometres alone will forever remain one of the most priceless journeys of my life,” he wrote.
He also attributed the experience to what he described as divine favour, saying he believed that God had played a role in the unusual encounter.
The businessman then made a striking reference to his own background and status, saying the experience had strengthened his belief that “royal blood” flows through his veins.
He, however, quickly attributed the favour he enjoys to God.
“Now I believe royal blood indeed flows through my veins, but above everything, it is the grace and favour of God that continues to carry me further,” he wrote.
Chivayo also used the post to praise Ruto, describing the Kenyan President’s humility as unmatched and thanking him for the kindness and affection he said the President had shown him.
“Your Excellency, your humility is unmatched and thank you again and always for the genuine love, kindness you have shown me as your own child,” he wrote.
He said the significance of the gesture was not necessarily the distance covered but the personal nature of the journey.
“What may have been a short drive for you became a memory of a lifetime for me,” Chivayo said.
The post comes after Chivayo attended Charlene Ruto’s traditional Kalenjin engagement and farewell ceremony, known as Koito ak Chaik, which was held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.
The private ceremony brought together prominent political, business, cultural and entertainment figures from Kenya and Tanzania, with the high-profile guest list adding to the attention surrounding the event.
Yunge has also been recognised internationally, including being named among the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and receiving the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018.
The ceremony was conducted under tight security and privacy arrangements, with guests arriving at the President’s family property from the morning.