Koffi Olomide apologizes to Kenyans four years after deportation

**Koffi Olomide [Photo: Instagram @koffiolomide_officiel]**

Legendary Congolese singer Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, professionally known as Koffi Olomidé, has apologized to Kenyans four years after he was unceremoniously deported for assaulting his dancer in Nairobi.

In a video doing rounds on social media, Olomide owned up to his 2016 conduct where he was captured on camera kicking his female dancer moments after landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

“Jambo Kenya, this is Grand Mopao, Koffi Olomide, first, I am sincerely sorry for what I did,” said Olomide.

Olomide explained that he erred and noted that it affected all those involved and reiterated that he is glad that the Kenyan government, through efforts by his lawyer Prof George Wajackoyah, had lifted his persona non grata proscription.

"To everybody who was affected by what I did, I apologize. I want to thank the Kenyan government for endorsing me back. I missed Kenya so much, the country of my life," he added.

The soukous maestro noted that he will soon announce the dates of his Kenyan tour and underscored his love Kenya and its people.

“I will soon be in the country to meet my fans and will announce the date for the comeback of the King of Africa. I sincerely apologize, I did wrong.

"Thank you very much, Professor George, for what you did. I will be in Nairobi very soon. I love you and respect,” concluded one of Africa's biggest musicians.

The musical giant was arrested in 2016 alongside his crew as he left Citizen TV, located along Denis Pritt Road, Nairobi, following public uproar.

The 63-year-old was deported aboard a Kenya Airways flight to his country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and was consequently slapped with assault charges on landing in Kinshasa.

His attempt to fly back in 2018 for the Devolution Conference in Kakamega hit a snag after he reportedly failed to secure clearance and have his ban lifted despite pleas by Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

“Our people love Koffi Olomide’s music and it will be very exciting if he will be allowed to come and perform at Bukhungu to entertain guests attending the devolution conference and Lingala music enthusiasts in the western region,” said Governor Oparanya.

But according to the then spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Mwenda Njoka, the burden for the ban’s lifting was on Olomide applying and not the state, “Please, talk to the organisers and the Koffi team and ask them if they got the ban lifted.”

Koffi Olomide never turned up.