A businessman who is currently embroiled in a legal battle over the ownership of the once popular vehicle dealership Imports By Kairu (IBK) spent New Year in police custody after after a customer accused him of fraud.
Clement Kinuthia was arrested on New Year’s eve after a customer told the police that he has received Sh6 million from him for the importation of a luxury vehicle but failed to deliver.
According to the client, Kinuthia was taking him round in circles despite receiving the money more than two months ago. According to sources, the client does not want to undergo a lengthy legal process and has therefore asked the police to hold Kinuthia in a cell until he pays back his money.
This is not the first time Kinuthia, who last year had a nasty fall out with car enthusiast and salesman Joseph Wambui Kairu alias Khalif Kairo is getting into trouble with the law for fraud.
In November last year, Kinuthia was charged in court for obtaining Sh2.9 million from a client on the pretext that he would import a car.
Kinuthia appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi and denied the charges.
He was accused of obtaining Sh2.94 million from Sharon Chepkorir on June 19, 2022 in Nairobi by pretending that he was in a position to import a vehicle for her. According to court documents, Kimani was arraigned to court by warrant of arrest after he failed to appear in court prior to take plea.
The accused however through his lawyer told the court that he had been sick and was willing to provide medical documents in court.
Imports By Kairu (IBK) was once a multimillion car dealership owned by Kinuthia and Kairo before the two had a nasty fall out that landed in court. After the fallout, Kairo went ahead and started his own company Kai & Karo putting him in direct competition with his former business partner.
