Nairobi Car Dealer Khalif Kairo Charged With Defrauding Clients Over Car Imports

Joseph Kairu Wambui, alias Khalif Kairo, was on 13th January 2025 charged at the Milimani Law Courts with cheating contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code.

The court heard that between 29th July 2024 and 16th November, 2024 at an unknown location within the Republic of Kenya, Khalif Kairo, a motor vehicle dealer, induced Dona Ayolo Okoth to transfer a sum of Ksh. 2,984,998 into Kai & Karo Limited’s KCB account while falsely pretending he will purchase a motor vehicle, make Subaru Outback, a fact he knew to be false.

The accused also faced an additional charge whose particulars indicate on diverse dates between 10th July 2024 and 29th July 2024 at Westlands suburb within Nairobi County, by means of fraudulent tricks, he induced Jeff Kyule Munane to pay through his company, Kai & Karo Limited, Ksh. 2,145,150 towards importation of a motor vehicle make Honda Vezel Hybrid from Japan, which he never delivered.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Chief Magistrate Hon. Lucas Onyina.

Prosecution through Joyce Olajo opposed his release on bail on grounds that he was a flight risk and may abscond court.

The prosecution, in a bid to have him tried while on remand, told Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina they are apprehensive that if he is released, he will flee the jurisdiction of the country and may never appear in court for trial.

The court heard that the accused had procured an air ticket on 10th January 2025, a day before his arrest and was meant to fly to New York, USA on 12th January 2025.

They relied on an affidavit sworn by an officer from DCI who went into detail on how long it took to trace Kairo. However, Kairo told the court that he has been cooperative since the time the complaints were lodged.

He said when the investigating officer called him on Saturday, he informed them that he was at a local bank in a mall in Nairobi.

“That’s where they found him,” said Ombetta.

“If he can tell the officers where he was prior to his arrest, would you say that’s the demeanour of someone who would abscond as alleged by the prosecution?” posed Ombeta.

Kairo’s defence team further trashed a flight ticket being used by the prosecution as proof that he wanted to flee the jurisdiction of the country.

“The ticket was booked way before the date of his arrest. It was not a plan to exit but as a person going on business,”  Ombeta said.

“Even before these charges were drafted, Kairo had planned to travel to New York for business.”

He contended that the matter before court is purely meant to tarnish his name and destroy his business environment.

Magistrate Onyina will rule on his bail application at 2 pm on Tuesday.