Khalif Kairo Seeks Donation After Losing Sh12.9M Raised On WeFunder

Khalif Kairo, the controversial city car dealer, has been forced to take a big bite of humble pie and is now appealing to the public for support following the abrupt closure of his WeFunder campaign account amid piling cases and an urgent need for cash bail for his freedom.

The account, which managed to raise an impressive Ksh12.9 million within just 24 hours, was shut down amid ongoing legal battles that have plagued Kairo’s business operations.

The closure was announced by Kairo himself via a public statement, where he linked the incident directly to his current legal challenges.

Kairo is currently in court, facing multiple charges related to his car sales business, which he claims have adversely affected his brand and operations, leading to the shutdown of his fundraising campaign.

He now claims that the ordeal has led him to close offices and is now appealing for well-wishers and those close to him to fundraise to help him settle his tribulations.

“Due to these legal issues, our WeFunder campaign was shut down last night after crossing the USD 100,000 mark. All is not lost, however; I am directly appealing to my supporters, friends, old clients, and associates to chip in whatever amount they can and give us a fighting chance against the unknown forces that are sabotaging my company,” he appealed.

Kairo, whose pastimes involve aviation, shared a pay bill number where people can donate, promising to keep an inventory of the money raised.

“Proceeds can be sent to the @kai_and_karo account below. This is not an investment but a donation. Once the dust settles, we will issue a statement and audit trail of how we will utilize the funds raised in rescuing our company,” he shared.

The WeFunder platform, known for facilitating crowdfunding for startups and businesses, did not provide specific details on why Kairo’s account was closed.

On January 28, after appearing for a court mention at Milimani Law Court, Kairo was immediately arrested by the DCI and taken to Parklands police station for further questioning and is scheduled to appear in court again.

Kairo, whose real name is Joseph Kairo Wambui, has been in the dock after allegedly defrauding his clients of Sh2.1 million and Sh2.9 million, respectively.

The latter amount is owed to Dona Ayalo Okoth in what the prosecution termed a fraudulent trick, claiming to be in a position to import a Subaru Outback vehicle, with the former being a deal for a Honda Vezel Hybrid from Japan.

Earlier, Kairo had asked the court to release his passport for a seven-day trip to the US for a fundraiser for his newly launched parent company based in the U.S., aiming to raise Sh258 million in seed funding.

Kairo now decries that he has tried everything in his ability to resolve his woes and do deliveries, but the negative media publicity and constant police involvement are putting him in deeper waters and severely affecting his ability to operate.

“There’s a well-coordinated effort to frustrate me, hound me out of business, and sabotage whatever we have built. It will not work. Arrest me even 100 times, but I don’t think I will relent. I will keep pushing, keep inspiring, and keep winning,” he wrote on X.

Kairo’s plea for help has sparked a mixed reaction online. Some sympathize with his plight, suggesting that the legal issues might be exaggerated or part of a larger vendetta against him. Others, however, criticize his past business practices and public statements, arguing that the shutdown might be justified.

Legal experts have advised that crowdfunding platforms often have strict policies regarding the legal standing of their users, especially when significant funds are involved. “When legal issues arise, platforms must act to protect both themselves and their investors,” commented legal analyst James Mwangi.

Kairo will spend yet another night behind bars as he awaits the court to give directions on his bond terms, this coming barely a week after paying a Sh2 million cash bail for a separate fraud case that continues to overwhelm and dent his pockets.