Young Chief Executive in the automotive industry, Khalif Kairo, is a well-known name in social media due to the reputation he has built in the car industry.
Despite coming from a humble background, raised by a single mother in Kawangware, Nairobi, Kairo has emerged as one of the leading car dealer importers, believed to have amassed considerable wealth from the business.
However, despite running a successful business, many question his lifestyle, claiming that he doesn’t own a house and still lives in rental properties.
“Mimi personally naishi kwa rentals wacha ku drive Porsche jet naweza nunua nikishi kwa rentals,” Kairo said while appearing on the Iko Nini podcast.
Kairo revealed that he lives in a rented accommodation where he pays less than Sh 100,000 in monthly rent.
Despite paying less than Sh 100k, he asserts that his location provides easy access to services like malls and shopping centers.
He further disclosed that spending Sh 20 million to buy a house doesn’t align with his priorities; he prefers to channel the money into business expansion and marketing strategies.
In an interview on the Iko Nini podcast, the father of one shared three prevalent false narratives his detractors love to spread about him and his business.
Money-laundering: One of the most common allegations against Kairo is that he’s involved in money laundering.
According to rumors, Kairo launders money for businesspeople from Arab countries—a claim that arose after a trip to Dubai coincided with a turning point in his life.
“People forget that I ventured into the car business 10 years ago. Money laundering can’t sustain the lifestyle I live. You can’t be in that business and still visit countries such as the U.S., where the FBI would have you on their radar,” said Kairo.
He emphasized that if he were involved in such activities, someone would have already reported him to the authorities.
Drug-dealing: The narrative that followed the money-laundering accusation is that Kairo is involved in drug dealing.
Kairo mentioned that his critics claimed his trips to South American countries were intended to establish connections with drug lords.
“There was a scandal that I am a drug dealer and that I go to Colombia to get suppliers,” said Kairo, laughing off the accusations.
Selling cars from accidents: Finally, Kairo revealed that the most recent rumor is that he sells cars from accidents.
According to Kairo, online gossip suggested he sells vehicles from accidents, a claim he called a well-crafted falsehood.
To shut down the rumors, Kairo offered Sh1 million to anyone who could prove they had bought an accident vehicle from him, but no one came forward.
