Kairo was ordered to cease running uncensored promotions online after he had been doing so.
Popular Nairobi motor vehicle entrepreneur Joseph Kairo Wambui, alias Khalif Kairo, on Sunday, November 17 expressed his displeasure at the government which wrote to him directing him to stop a promotion it had considered unlawful.
In a letter by the chair of the Betting and Licensing Control Board (BCLB) Peter Mbugua, Kairo was ordered to cease running uncensored promotions online after he had been doing so.
Kairo, who has gained popularity for his knowledge and expertise in car sales aligned with current demands as well as aviation exploits and a few high-profile celebrity-esque relationships, initiated a promotion exercise and put up a vehicle for grabs.
That vehicle was a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, in the promotion he was running in collaboration with a digital pay company. Participants had been given some conditions that they had to meet before winning the vehicle at the centre of the promotion.
A car sales executive displays cars on sale at Khalif Kairo’s yard in Nairobi. /KAI & KARO MOTORS
”The Board has noted that your company has been conducting unlawful promotions contrary to the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap.131.Laws of Kenya. One such promotion is the just concluded ‘win a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer that you were conducting in collaboration with(name withheld),’’ BCLB stated.
As a result, the Board, operating as a department under the Ministry of Interior, directed him to stop conducting the promotions immediately and seek the necessary validation documents before engaging in similar business activities.
”You are therefore advised to cease conducting such unlawful promotions with immediate effect and ensure authorization from the Board in your future promotions,’’ BCLB added.
Kairo however did not take this directive very well. He called out the board for focusing strongly on matters that are of less importance instead of cracking down on companies exploiting Kenyans frequently.
“Such a useless federation. Bloody silent when Kenyans are exploited by everyone from foreign taxi companies, big banks, big telecommunication companies to betting firms but very loud when a small boy gives out a car to his fans,” he wrote on X, also calling out the Consumer Federation of Kenya for warning consumers against similar betting and gambling schemes.
Khalif Kairo Profile
Kairo is a multifaceted individual known for his diverse talents and achievements. Born in November 1996, he spent his formative years in Amboseli nestled in the neighbourhood of Kawangware, Nairobi County which is the closest residence to Lavington.
Narrating his upbringing, Kairo recounted that his mother owned a humble kiosk where she diligently sold essential goods within their local community. His educational journey began at Huduma Primary Pre-Unit in Kawangware where he studied up to Class 6 before transitioning to World Hope Academy, also located in Kawangware, for classes 6 to 8.
Upon completing his primary education, Kairo ventured into high school. In the years 2011 to 2012, he was part of the Dagoretti High School community.
In 2012, Kairo embarked on a new chapter in his educational journey as he joined Kahuho Uhuru High School, which played a vital role in shaping his academic and personal growth, as he spent the years 2012 to 2014 here.
As Kairo transitioned from high school into the next phase of his life, he didn’t merely rely on academic achievements alone as he leveraged his passion for cars to drive up his aspirations. After completing his school journey, he embarked on a quest to turn his love for automobiles into a profitable venture, enrolling in driving classes to get the necessary skills and credentials to thrive in the automotive industry.
Kairo’s passion for automobiles goes beyond the ordinary; he is a genuine car enthusiast, a passion that not only drove up his interests but has also been the cornerstone of his business ventures.
He got his first job as a car salesman at age 18 after failing to join a university but quit the job to start his car import business. He was forced out by his partners but bounced back in a resounding fashion to start his current company, growing it to one of the most popular car dealing companies in the country.
