Veteran broadcaster Fred Machoka recently spoke out about the anxiety his team faced before his landmark Rhumba concert, which was marred by drama involving Congolese star Koffi Olomide and Senator Gloria Orwoba. The Golden Jubilee celebration, held to mark Machoka's 50th anniversary in the industry, brought together some of the biggest names in Rhumba music and drew massive crowds. Despite the controversies, Machoka expressed gratitude to the fans and performers who made the event a success.
Machoka took to social media to share his thoughts on the concert, revealing that the team had been worried about the event's success due to various factors, including the risk of Ebola and unpredictable weather. However, he credited God for taking care of everything and making the night a memorable one. The concert featured electrifying performances from Koffi Olomide, Mbilia Bel, Them Mushrooms, and Les Wanyika, among others.
Koffi Olomide, one of Rhumba's biggest global draws, put on a relentless two-hour set that left fans on their feet. Machoka also praised performances from Koffi's wife Cindy, Katilia, Mama Mbilia Bell, Makasi Man, Alicios Theluji, Them Mushrooms, and Les Wanyika. He described the collective effort as proof that Rhumba could succeed where other concert formats have fallen short.
The evening was not without its controversies, however. Machoka found himself at the centre of two separate incidents that generated significant buzz online and among attendees. The first involved politician Gloria Orwoba, who was reportedly ordered off the stage amid "Wantam" chants from the crowd. The second drama unfolded between Machoka and Koffi Olomide himself, with a disagreement between the two men surfacing during the celebrations.
Despite the controversies, Machoka's post-event tone remained upbeat and grateful, choosing to focus on the positives of a night he clearly holds dear. He expressed appreciation to the fans of Koffi Olomide, who had one of the finest shows, and to his wife Cindy. Special recognition also went to the event's MCs, including Jeff Koinange, Mwalimu Churchill, and Patrick Igunza.
Machoka also addressed the drama involving his niece, Gloria Orwoba, who was involved in an incident that led to blogger Edgar Wabwire's arrest. He revealed that he received numerous calls and insults from Gen Zs demanding Wabwire's release and slammed the young generation for attacking him just because he is related to Gloria.
Whether another edition of the concert materialises remains to be seen, but Machoka's closing words suggest the dream is very much alive. He thanked the fans and performers for making the event a success and expressed hope that they would do it again in the future. The concert has been hailed as one of the greatest Rhumba concerts of the decade.
Key points
- Fred Machoka's Rhumba concert was marred by drama involving Koffi Olomide and Gloria Orwoba.
- The concert featured electrifying performances from various artists, including Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel.
- Machoka expressed gratitude to the fans and performers who made the event a success despite the controversies.
