It was a rip-off, fans say of Koffi Olomide's Kisumu concert

It was a concert that Kisumu residents and rhumba fans had waited with great expectations and had been tipped to be the curtain-raiser of the festive season.

Everything had appeared to be in order. From marketing, road shows and troops of social media influencers to drum up support for the Mzuqka concert that was to be headlined by celebrated Congolese musician Koffi Olomide, a memorable show was expected.

And for the fun-loving residents of the lakeside, not even the pricey Sh10,000 ticket for a VVIP and a Sh5,000 for VIP stopped them from attending the event.

But after the concert, many wished they had spent the money on a plate of tilapia or something else.

Yesterday, revellers told The Standard they were yet to come to terms with what they described as the entertainment disaster of the century.

The event at the Mamboleo Sports Complex had attracted a huge crowd which had hoped to thoroughly enjoy a performance by Olomide and his Quartier Latin band.

In the buildup to the event, Olomide even promised attendees an electric performance.

“Get ready to enjoy. Get ready to be happy. Get ready to dance with me,” Olomide said in a video.

But hours to the Saturday event, signs of a disaster in the making were beginning to emerge.  By noon, band members had not arrived in Kisumu. Not even a sound check and a brief rehearsal, that is a common practice by international artists, featured. But fans remained optimistic.

By 3pm, a video of the singer dragging his bag at an undisclosed airport started doing rounds on social media. In the video, he reminded his fans of his show in Kisumu.

Olomide, who was visiting Kenya for the first time since he was deported in 2016 for allegedly assaulting one of his crew members, was to perform alongside Nyoka Longo of the Zaiko Langa Langa band fame.

The rhumba superstar was curtain-raised by local artistes Prince Indah, Apesi and Madanje Perimeter. At one point, Market Milimani MCA Seth Kanga stormed the stage when Prince Indah was playing and hurled expletives. He said the event had failed to leave up to its expectations and described it as theft.

“Where is Koffi Olomide? Where is Koffi Olomide?” he shouted, as an aide tried to grab the microphone from him.

Moments later, Olomide stepped on the stage, while taking selfies and lip-synching some of his famous songs. It was around 3am.

His performance was short and dull, punctuated by boos from pockets of fans who had been eager to witness Koffi’s live band throbbing the lakeside atmosphere with the sounds of the guitar.

“The disappointment awaiting us was hinted immediately when Olomide landed without his band,” said a fan on social media.

The concert was touted as a premium event. It was attended by governors Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and James Orengo (Siaya) among other prominent personalities.

While the concert-goers cry foul, organisers say the event was one of a kind. According to the sponsor, the Congolese delivered an electrifying performance that had revellers on their feet from start to finish.

Yesterday, insiders privy to the planning told The Standard that poor planning was to blame for the chaos. According to the source, the musician was only paid for appearance.

“There were rumours the band was stuck in Uganda but that was untrue,” said the source.

University don and rhumba fan Charles Othina described the show as a letdown. “Paying Sh5,000 for VIP and Koffi Olomide is a no-show!” he exclaimed.

Kisumu’s CEC of Trade Farida Salim said she was disappointed.

“Concerning this performance, I am just lost for words since we all expected an amazing show. Let us wait to hear from the sponsors what exactly transpired. Poleni sana mafans,” said Salim.

Fans have now nicknamed Olomide ‘Flash Disk’ for lipsynching.