A Kenyan man and aspiring entrepreneur has shared a private exchange he had with Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, revealing that the two had been planning to meet in Dubai in November, just before Chivayo allegedly died in a helicopter crash.
Eugene Shiare Katta, posted the conversation on Facebook on October 1, 2026, expressing grief over the loss of a man he had only recently connected with but had deeply admired.
How Katta Reached Out to Chivayo
Katta first slid into Chivayo’s Instagram DMs on January 14, introducing himself as a young Kenyan creative and director of a fintech company. In the message, he explained that he had been in Harare the previous week and understood how difficult it was to secure time with the businessman.
He requested a brief meeting, either with Chivayo directly or with members of his team, to seek early guidance on a fintech concept he was developing.
“I deeply admire your leadership in business and youth empowerment across the continent of Africa,” Katta wrote in the message.
Chivayo’s response, which came on a Tuesday morning, was warm and encouraging. He acknowledged Katta by name, asked about Kenya, and noted that he was a frequent visitor to the country.
“Let’s organise to have a sit-down. Whether in Harare or anywhere in the world it find ourselves in the same location, we can meet,” Chivayo wrote, sharing his WhatsApp contact and wishing the young entrepreneur good luck.
A Meeting That Will Never Happen
The two had reportedly been in further contact since that initial exchange, with Katta disclosing that they had arranged to meet in Dubai in November. That meeting will never take place.
In his Facebook post mourning Chivayo, Katta wrote:
“RIP Sir Wicknell Chivayo. I was looking forward to our meeting in Dubai this November. Our last conversation will forever remain special. Rest easy, brother.”
The post, which accompanied screenshots of the DM exchange, quickly drew attention online, collecting 275 likes and 57 comments within a day of being shared.
For Katta, the brief connection clearly carried significant weight, representing not just a potential business opportunity but what he described as a genuinely special personal bond formed in a short time.
