Prominent Nairobi car dealer Khalif Kairo, recently charged with failing to honor car sale agreements, has petitioned a Nairobi court to release his passport. Kairo, through his lawyer Davidson Makau, made the plea before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina on Tuesday, citing the need to attend a seven-day fundraiser in the United States.
Kairo assured the court that he is not a flight risk and pledged to return promptly upon completing his business abroad. He emphasized the importance of the fundraiser and the need for his physical presence in the U.S. to fulfill his obligations.
However, the prosecution countered the request, insisting that Kairo must provide full details of his planned visit, including his travel itinerary and departure and return dates, before the court considers his application.
Magistrate Onyina directed the matter to be mentioned on January 31, allowing time for Kairo to file the necessary documents. These will form the basis for the court’s decision on whether to release his travel documents.
Kairo is currently facing two separate charges of cheating, contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code. He was accused of defrauding clients by failing to deliver cars for which he had received payments.
In one instance, Kairo allegedly used fraudulent tricks between July 10, 2024, and July 25, 2024, to induce one Jeff Munane to pay Ksh 2.1 million through his company, Kai & Kairo Limited. The money was intended for the importation of a Honda Vezel Hybrid from Japan, which Kairo allegedly never delivered.
Similarly, Kairo is accused of defrauding another individual, Dona Okoth, of Ksh 2.98 million. The funds, transferred to Kai & Kairo Limited’s KCB bank account, were for the purchase of a Subaru Outback. According to the charge sheet, this offence occurred between July 29, 2024, and November 16, 2024.
For both charges, the court had granted Kairo a cash bail of Ksh 1 million for each count, with an alternative of a bond.
The upcoming mention of the case will determine whether Kairo’s passport is temporarily released, enabling him to fulfill his international commitments. Meanwhile, the court will continue to assess the allegations against him as it navigates the broader question of his accountability in the alleged car sale fraud cases.
