Popular car dealer Joseph Kairo commonly known as Khalif Kairo, will appear in court on January 14, 2025 at 2 p.m. for a ruling on his release following fraud-related charges.

The prosecution had opposed his bail, citing him as a potential flight risk, supported by an affidavit from a DCI officer detailing the difficulty in tracing Kairo.

However, Kairo denies the claims, with his legal team, Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, arguing that the prosecution has failed to justify his detention.

“The prosecution has failed to provide any reason to have Mr. Kairo denied bail by the court,” said Omari and Ombeta.

Kairo maintained his cooperation with authorities, noting that when contacted by investigators on Saturday, he was at a bank in Nairobi’s Junction Mall.

Ombeta questioned, “If he can tell the officers where he was, is that the behavior of someone planning to flee?”

Kairo’s defense also dismissed the prosecution’s use of a flight ticket as evidence of his intent to flee, explaining it was booked before his arrest for a business trip to New York.

“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 added.

Ombeta also contended that the charges were part of a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing Kairo’s reputation.

“This matter before the court is purely meant to tarnish his name and destroy his business environment,” he said.

Kairo faces two counts of failing to honor car sale agreements.

He is accused of fraudulently inducing Jeff Munane to pay Sh2.1 million for a Honda Vezel hybrid, which was never delivered.

Similarly, Kairo allegedly defrauded Dona Okoth of Sh2.98 million for a Subaru Outback, which was also never provided.

Both payments were made to his company, Kai & Kairo Limited.