Khalif Kairo fraud case
Nairobi, Kenya — Prominent city car dealer Joseph Kairu Wambui, popularly known as Khalif Kairo, has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over allegations of defrauding two clients of nearly KSh 5 million in a high-profile car importation scam.
The celebrated entrepreneur, who runs a flashy car dealership and commands a large online following, is facing two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses after allegedly failing to deliver vehicles he promised to import from Japan.
Alleged Fraudulent Transactions
According to the prosecution, Kairo orchestrated two separate schemes targeting unsuspecting clients seeking imported vehicles.
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Subaru Outback Deal
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The first complainant, Dola Ayalo Okoth, told investigators that between July 29, 2024, and November 16, 2024, he transferred KSh 2,984,998 into Kairo’s bank account.
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Kairo allegedly promised to source and deliver a Subaru Outback from Japan but never fulfilled the agreement.
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Honda Vezel Hybrid Deal
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In a second case, Jeff Kyule Munane accused Kairo of swindling him out of KSh 2,145,150.
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The money was allegedly paid for the importation of a Honda Vezel Hybrid, which also failed to materialize.
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Both complainants say that repeated follow-ups yielded no results, prompting them to report the matter to the authorities.
Court Appearance and Plea
Kairo appeared before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, where he denied all charges of fraud.
His legal team — high-profile lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta, and Martina Swiga — argued that the accusations stem from a failed business deal rather than fraud, urging the court to consider lenient bail and bond terms.
The prosecution, however, maintained that Kairo deliberately deceived the two traders and misappropriated their funds, amounting to KSh 5,130,148 in total.
What’s Next in the Case?
Chief Magistrate Onyina directed that a ruling on the bail and bond application will be delivered on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Until then, Kairo remains in custody pending further directions.
The case has attracted widespread public attention, given Kairo’s popularity in the automotive industry and his image as a young, ambitious entrepreneur.
Wider Implications
This case adds to a growing list of fraud-related disputes involving Kenya’s car importation industry, where buyers often pay millions upfront for vehicles that are never delivered.
Legal experts note that the outcome of this case could set an important precedent in consumer protection within the auto-import sector, where loopholes are frequently exploited to defraud unsuspecting clients.
If convicted, Kairo could face significant penalties, including hefty fines, compensation orders, or a custodial sentence under Section 313 of the Penal Code.