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Khalif Kairo, the CEO of Kai & Karo Limited is a well-known car dealer whose popularity came with its fair share of public interest into his business dealings and personal life.
Being a social media personality, the businessman provides frequent updates that give the public a glimpse into his life, with his rise from humble beginnings to a leading car dealer inspiring many.
Khalif Kairo, the CEO of Kai & Karo Limited
His social media marketing skills are on another level, with engaging content that has seen him bag thousands of loyal followers.
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Humble beginnings in Kawangware & education
Born Joseph Kairo Wambui in 1996, the businessman spent part of his formative years in Kawangware where he helped his mother in her shop.
READ: Every entrepreneur must face litigation, money problems at some point - Kairo
He attended Huduma Primary Pre-unit and World Hope Academy before proceeding to Dagoretti High School for a year (2011-2012).
Kairo completed his High School at Kahuho Uhuru High School (2012-2014).
Interest in car dealership and first job
His interest in car dealership began after high school when he met friends in the neighbourhood who were in the industry.
At the age of 18 and after KCSE, Kairo landed his first job in 2014 as an errand boy at a bakery.
With a modest salary of Sh9000 a month, he worked for a month then proceeded to join a driving school and obtained his license.
He made his debut in car dealership as a salesman in 2015, on a modest salary of Sh10,000 a month after convincing the owner of a car yard to give him a chance.
His first deal saw him make earn a commission of Sh50,000 and being a staunch Christian, he handed over the money to his mother with a request to tithe.
Losing company and remarkable business comeback
Backed by his experience in the industry and social media marketing skills, he teamed up with partners and found his footing in the lucrative but challenging car dealership business.
Khalif Kairo, the CEO of Kai & Karo Limited
The partnership ended in a fallout, leading him to launch his own brand Kai and Kairo.
Starting from scratch and building from the ground up, Kairo bounced back with his company, Kai and Karo that made waves in the industry.
Gen Z protests
He emerged as a leading voice and was in the frontline during the protests that rocked the country for several months, starting in June.
READ: Khalif Kairo speaks as KRA goes after his car dealership business
As claims of the protests being infiltrated by thugs and opportunistic politicians to advance their personal agenda amid bloodshed and a wave of destruction, Kairo retreated and called for a change in tact to avoid further descent into chaos and loss of lives.
Business problems and challenges
While the business environment has always been challenging, Kairo navigated the challenges and built Kai & Karo Limited.
In September, the businessman opened up on some of the challenges he encountered, accusing a former business partner of conspiring with officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to harass and frustrate his business operations.
Khalif Kairo, the CEO of Kai & Karo Limited
He claimed that the individual had conspired with KRA officials to investigate his company and has gone so far as to issue threats against him online.
Kairo received a notice from KRA’s Investigations and Enforcement Department, summoning Kai & Karo Limited to appear for a meeting on September 26, 2024 in Nyeri.
The investigation requires the company to provide detailed financial documents, including;
Audited financial statements and trial balances
Sales ledger and sales invoices
Purchases ledger and purchases invoices
General ledger
Stock valuation records
Wear and tear and asset schedules
Bank statements for the company and directors.
Business, pleasure and dating
Kairo easily mixed his passion for business with pleasure and was an inspiration to many.
From holidays and hikes to luxurious car collection while also advancing his education to become a pilot, the young businessman defied many odds.
Khalif Kairo, the CEO of Kai & Karo Limited with Maria Wavinya
He was romantically involved with Cera Imani and parted ways with her before getting hitched to Maria Wavinya.
Arrest and response to challenges facing his business
Media reports surfaced on 03 December indicating that the flamboyant businessman had been arrested and detained at Kasarani Police Station of obtaining money by false pretense.
At the center of his woes was a luxurious car deal valued at Sh26million with the businessman noting that what he was going through at the time are part of normal challenges in business.
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Businessman Khalif Kairo
Hizi challenges mnaona nikipitia are very normal in business esp when a company is growing. Every big entrepreneur at one point must face litigation or money problems especially when God is taking you to higher levels. To the ones reaching out, I am 100% okay and I will overcome.
Despite this clarification, the accusations have reignited debates about his business practices and financial stability.
It is also not lost to his fans that he is a master of comebacks, having made a remarkable comeback in the car dealership industry.