Joseph Kairu, also known as Khalif Kairo, is the owner of Kai and Karo, a car dealership located on Kiambu Road in Nairobi.
He previously served as the CEO of Imports By Kairo but departed abruptly due to a power struggle among the company’s executive directors.
After being forced out, Kairo made a strong comeback by establishing Kai and Karo, where he is the sole investor and driving force behind the business.
He is also the founder of Jet Man Global, a company he unveiled in August 2023 specializing in aircraft leasing, sales and consultancy services.
Education
Kairo attended Huduma Primary School and later Dagoretti High School from 2011 to 2012.
He continued his education at Kahuho Uhuru High School until 2014.
After completing high school, Kairo pursued a career in the automotive industry, initially working as a car salesman at 18 after not qualifying for university.
Early beginnings
Kairo’s entrepreneurial journey began at a young age.
After completing his high school education, he faced the challenge of not qualifying for university.
Instead of viewing this setback as a limitation, he seized the opportunity to enter the automotive industry.
At just 18 years old, Kairo began working as a car salesman, where he learned the ins and outs of the business, including customer relations, sales techniques, and market dynamics.
Venturing out
After gaining valuable experience in car sales, Kairo co-founded Imports By Kairo but eventually left due to partnership disagreements.
In 2022, he launched Kai & Karo Motors, marking a significant milestone in his career.
This dealership quickly gained traction in Kenya’s competitive automotive market.
His approach combined traditional sales strategies with modern marketing techniques, leveraging social media to reach a broader audience.
Kairo’s engaging online presence helped him build a loyal customer base and establish his brand as a reputable player in the luxury car segment.
In addition to his success in the automotive sector, he has also ventured into aviation after establishing Jetman Global where he serves as CEO.
Controversies and legal issues
Kairo has recently faced significant controversies and legal issues, primarily related to allegations of fraud.
On December 3, 2024, he was arrested at his car yard in Nairobi for allegedly defrauding a client of KSh 26 million by failing to deliver luxury vehicles after receiving payment.
The Kasarani Sub-County criminal investigations officer confirmed that multiple complaints have emerged against Kairo, indicating a pattern of similar allegations from other dissatisfied clients.
Prior to this, Kairo had reportedly been missing from social media for several days, leading to speculation about his legal troubles.
In November, he was accused of failing to deliver a motor vehicle worth Ksh 2.52 million, which resulted in a breach of contract complaint filed by a customer.
