What happens to the alleged R193 billion after Wicknell Chivayo’s death?

Questions have emerged over the alleged billions that late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo was claimed to be holding for Kenyan President William Ruto before his death.

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that Chivayo was holding more than KSh1.5 trillion (about R193 billion) belonging to Ruto when he died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe.

However, there is no independent evidence establishing that Chivayo held the money, and Gachagua did not provide documentary evidence for the claim.

The alleged amount is therefore not an established financial fact.

What happens to money after Chivayo’s death?

If a person dies while holding assets or money belonging to another individual, the ownership of those assets would ordinarily have to be established through financial records, legal documents, contracts and other evidence.

In Chivayo’s case, any investigation into such a claim would need to establish whether the alleged funds existed, who legally owned them and whether Chivayo had any legal authority to hold or transfer them.

The situation could become more complicated if the money was allegedly held through companies, bank accounts, trusts or other financial arrangements.

Chivayo died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people when their helicopter crashed in the Marondera area of Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa later confirmed Chivayo’s death.

Authorities are investigating the crash, while the cause has not yet been established.

Gachagua’s claim about Ruto and Chivayo

Gachagua claimed that Chivayo had business dealings with Ruto and was allegedly used to move and store money on the President’s behalf.

He further alleged that Chivayo transported dollars by aircraft and deposited or kept the money at private locations.

“The man has his money, over 1.5 trillion. The man is dead, his wife is dead, he doesn’t know where to begin,” Gachagua claimed.

The former Deputy President also linked Chivayo to an alleged plan involving election technology ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, but he did not provide evidence supporting those claims.

What happens next?

For the alleged R193 billion to be traced, there would first need to be credible evidence showing that the funds existed and were connected to Chivayo.

Any claims concerning ownership could then involve financial institutions, investigators, legal representatives and Chivayo’s estate.

Neither Ruto nor his representatives had publicly responded to Gachagua’s allegations at the time of publication.