By Rebecca Odhiambo
A post shared on X by an account with the username Koech Brian (@koech7357) claims that Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, had said, “If Chivayo knew he was going to have a helicopter crush to death, why are you still going there.’’ The post, published on October 1, 2026, had attracted more than 67,000 views, 1,200 likes and 110 reposts at the time of review, indicating it had reached a wider audience.
The account regularly engages with topical conversations on X, including Kenyan politics, while also commenting on sports and other trending discussions.
Background
Wicknell Chivayo was a Zimbabwean businessman and founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, a company involved in energy and infrastructure projects. He was known for his high-profile lifestyle and close relationships with political figures, including Kenyan President William Ruto. His relationship with the Ruto family attracted attention in Kenya after he attended Charlene Ruto’s Koito traditional engagement ceremony in August 2026, where he was seen with President Ruto and other guests.
Chivayo’s association with President Ruto continued after the ceremony. On September 9, 2026, Chivayo posted about a private meeting he had with President Ruto at State House where they reportedly discussed a major infrastructure investment in Kenya, amounting to approximately 200 million dollars.
On September 30, 2026, Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, and four others died when their helicopter crashed in Zimbabwe’s Marondera area. President Ruto later mourned Chivayo, describing him as a friend.
Following the crash, Chivayo and his wife were scheduled to be buried side by side at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare on October 8, 2026. The family said there would be no public viewing of the bodies because of the condition of the remains after the crash.
These events formed the wider context in which social media posts, including the one attributing remarks about the crash to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, began circulating.
Verification
A review of reports published around the time of the crash found no credible evidence that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba made the statement attributed to him in the post. A look at verified media interviews and the CS’s official social media handles confirms he never issued the claimed statement.
Furthermore, no reputable newspaper, mainstream media outlet, or verified news agency in Kenya, Zimbabwe, or internationally has published or broadcast the statement. A comprehensive search across established journalism networks confirms an absolute absence of any such reporting, which would be standard practice for a high-level political pronouncement. The complete lack of media coverage further demonstrates that the quote is entirely fabricated.
Verdict
The claim that Murkomen made these remarks about Wicknell Chivayo is MISLEADING.
Add comment