In 1991, Kanda Bongo Man, a renowned Rhumba star, arrived in Kenya for a series of performances. He drew large crowds at various venues, including Carnivore Grounds, Bomas of Kenya, KICC, and Nyayo Stadium. At Nyayo Stadium, he performed in front of over 40,000 fans, including high-end individuals like the late George Saitoti. His concerts were highly anticipated, and he was set to perform at the New Stanley Hotel after his Nyayo Stadium show.
However, things took a turn when Kanda Bongo Man was approached by Hezekiah Oyugi, the Chief Secretary for Internal Security under former President Daniel Moi. Oyugi requested that Kanda Bongo Man perform at a private wedding in Migori, but the musician declined, citing that he does not do private shows. Instead, he suggested hiring fellow Congolese musician Tshala Muana, who was in the country at that time.
According to media personality Fred Obachi Machoka, Oyugi felt slighted by Kanda Bongo Man's response and used his power to cancel the show. Machoka, who was the master of ceremonies at the event, revealed that he was preparing Kanda Bongo Man in his room when he was informed that the show was cancelled. The police officers stated that the instructions to cancel the show came from "above."
Machoka refused to announce the cancellation, asking the police to do it themselves. As a result, the organizers had to refund the money, and Kanda Bongo Man was instructed to leave the country within 24 hours. Since there was no flight to France at that moment, the police supervised his stay at the hotel until the following day when he departed.
Kanda Bongo Man's departure from Kenya was sudden and unexpected. The musician had performed at several major venues in the country, and his fans were left disappointed by the cancellation of his show at the New Stanley Hotel. The incident has been a topic of discussion for years, with various reasons being speculated.
Recently, Machoka revealed more details about the incident in an interview with Mic Cheque podcast. He explained that Oyugi's influence led to the cancellation of the show and Kanda Bongo Man's subsequent departure from Kenya. This incident occurred during a time when President Moi was said to have had interest in a female TV star, and some speculated that Kanda Bongo Man's relationship with her might have contributed to the cancellation.
On October 10, 2026, Machoka will be hosting a flashback fiesta to commemorate 50 legendary years in the broadcasting industry. The event, which will feature renowned Rhumba stars, including Koffi Olomide, Mbilia Bel, and Sam Fan Thomas, will be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex. The incident involving Kanda Bongo Man serves as a reminder of the complexities of the entertainment industry and the influence of politics on artistic performances.
Key points
- Kanda Bongo Man was ordered to leave Kenya in 1991 after cancelling a show at the New Stanley Hotel due to pressure from Hezekiah Oyugi.
- The cancellation was allegedly due to Kanda Bongo Man's refusal to perform at a private wedding in Migori.
- Machoka revealed the incident in an interview, providing insight into the events that led to Kanda Bongo Man's departure from Kenya.
