Nairobi car dealer Khalif Kairo, whose real name is Joseph Kairu Wambui, was granted a personal bond of Sh3 million on Friday after spending several days in police custody. This comes as he faces multiple fraud-related charges linked to failed vehicle import deals.
Court Grants Bond, Returns Passport
Kairo’s lawyer, Davinson Makau, pleaded with Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina to grant a personal bond since his client was struggling to raise the Ksh 3 million cash bail. The court agreed to the request, allowing him to be released on bond.
Additionally, the court returned Kairo’s passport, enabling him to travel to the USA for fundraising purposes. The judge cited Kairo’s consistent travel history and ruled that there was no compelling reason to restrict his movement.
Fraud Allegations and Charges
On Wednesday, January 29, Kairo appeared before Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, where he was formally charged with obtaining Ksh 3,045,000 from Dan Odhiambo Odundo under false pretenses.
He allegedly promised to import a Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 from Japan through his company, Kai & Karo Limited, knowing the claim was false. Kairo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This case adds to a growing list of accusations against the businessman. Earlier in January 2025, he was charged with deceiving multiple clients into paying large sums for cars that were never delivered.
Millions Lost as WeFunder Account is Shut Down
As his legal troubles continue, Kairo revealed that one of his fundraising accounts had been abruptly closed.
On January 29, he announced that his WeFunder campaign account, which had raised over Ksh 12.9 million (USD 100,000), was shut down overnight.
According to Kairo, the closure was linked to his ongoing legal battles, including his latest case at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi.
“I am currently in Milimani Law Courts and will be presented for plea-taking shortly. Due to these legal issues, our WeFunder campaign account was shut down last night after crossing the USD 100,000 (Ksh 12.9 million) mark,” he stated.
The WeFunder campaign was only launched on Monday, meaning it lasted roughly 24 hours before being closed.
However, independent investigations have not been able to verify the exact reasons behind the account shutdown due to financial privacy regulations.
Business Operations in Jeopardy
Kairo has spent much of the last few months defending himself in court over accusations of fraud in the car sales business. He claims the lawsuits are a result of unrelated financial struggles and insists that he is innocent.
The legal challenges have also taken a toll on his business. Kairo confirmed that his offices are now closed, blaming negative media coverage and police investigations for his troubles.
“We have tried everything in our ability to resolve these issues and ensure deliveries are made. But the negative media publicity and constant police involvement are putting us in deeper waters and severely affecting our ability to operate. All our offices are currently closed,” he stated.
Despite the allegations, Kairo maintains that he has built a strong reputation over the years.
by GEOFFREY MBUTHIA
