Khalif Kairo, a well-known car dealer, recently addressed the public regarding his failure in a series of aviation tests. The discussion emerged after a result slip showing his unsuccessful attempts went viral on social media.
Facing criticism and mockery online, Kairo decided to respond directly to one of the individuals who shared the slip. He explained that his intention in making the exam slip public was to motivate young people, especially those still in school, who dream of a career in aviation. “I shared this result slip to inspire kids taking aviation, especially those in school. Kenyan pilot exams are some of the hardest in the world. The pass mark is 70%, and they give you 10 retakes,” Kairo stated.
He further commented on the pressure and difficulty of the exams, noting that the rigorous standards set by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) make the exams particularly challenging. Kairo’s attempt to inspire was met with mixed reactions, with some appreciating his honesty and others choosing to mock his results.
Kairo also addressed allegations that he had tried to bribe his way to a passing grade. An insider at the KCAA had leaked information suggesting that Kairo was attempting to pay off lecturers to alter his results so he could obtain a commercial license despite failing the exams. These allegations circulated widely on social media, with one X user claiming to have insider knowledge of Kairo’s actions.
In response, Kairo admitted to failing the exams but denied any involvement in bribery. He expressed frustration over his repeated unsuccessful attempts to pass the KCAA accreditation exams, acknowledging the difficulty and personal disappointment he faced.
“It was frustrating because I had attempted the examinations a couple of times before and had not been successful,” he admitted.