City lawyer Donald Kipkorir has sparked debate online after openly questioning President William Ruto over the presence and activities of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo in Kenya.
Kipkorir questioned why Chivayo, whom he described in strong terms, has been allowed what he termed as unrestricted access to senior government circles, including State House engagements.
“Your Excellency President @WilliamsRuto, everyone says Wicknell Chivayo is a conman, a fraudster & a criminal… Why have you allowed him unimpeded access?” Kipkorir posed.
He further questioned the nature of Chivayo’s engagement with Kenyan officials and the benefits to the country.
“How is he given unrestricted access to our country? How can he openly give money to our airport employees?” he added.
Kipkorir also raised concerns over national interests, saying the State must be careful in its dealings with individuals whose reputation has been widely questioned.
“How does our country benefit from a known criminal? How can we compromise our national security & prestige to such a man of dubious reputation?” he asked.
The remarks have ignited discussion online, coming at a time when Chivayo’s reported links to Kenya’s multi-billion-shilling Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion project continue to draw public scrutiny.
The project, estimated at about $2.9 billion, is part of government efforts to expand airport capacity and modernise key infrastructure.
However, questions have emerged around the selection of partners and the transparency of the procurement process.
Chivayo has in recent months made several visits to Kenya, where he has met President Ruto at State House and other official venues, presenting himself as an investor interested in infrastructure and energy opportunities.
His growing visibility within government circles has continued to attract criticism from sections of the public and political commentators, who are calling for greater transparency in high-level investment engagements.