During the 1990s, the Soukous music wave took Africa by storm, especially in East Africa, with Kenya being one of the countries consuming the genre. This energetic genre, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and characterized by vigorous dancing and rhythmic beats, was popularized by musicians such as Kanda Bongo Man, Diblo Dybala, Yondo Sister, and Arlus Mabele.
In Kenya, people fell in love with Kanda Bongo Man’s music, which was frequently played on radio stations and in entertainment venues such as clubs, bars, and pubs.
His hit song at the time was “Monie,” featuring the famous Kwasa Kwasa lyrics that mesmerized Kenyan audiences through his vibrant soukous style and captivating guitar solos.
Kenyans’ admiration for him led to an invitation to perform in the country in 1991, courtesy of veteran journalist Fred Obachi Machoka—popularly known as “the blackest man in Africa”—who was then working at VOK (now KBC).
Kanda Bongo Man Arrives in Kenya
Kanda Bongo Man arrived in Kenya in April 1991 and began performing at various venues, including Carnivore Grounds, Bomas of Kenya, KICC, and Nyayo Stadium. His shows attracted large, enthusiastic crowds.
One of the most notable performances took place at Nyayo Stadium on April 7, 1991, which was filled to capacity with over 40,000 fans. The event was attended by high-profile leaders, including the late Professor George Saitoti, then Vice President of Kenya, who sat in the VIP section.
Prominent Kikuyu musician Joseph Kamaru also performed alongside Kanda Bongo Man. The event’s master of ceremonies was Fred Obachi Machoka.
Rhumba Musician Deported
Everything went smoothly until he was scheduled to perform at the New Stanley Hotel. Things took a sudden turn shortly after his Nyayo Stadium performance.
Security officers reportedly from the State House arrived at the New Stanley Hotel, where Kanda was staying, and demanded that he leave the country within 24 hours. Kanda complied and left the next day. It was reported that he was instructed never to return.
Rumors quickly spread that Kanda Bongo Man had been deported because he allegedly had an affair with President Daniel Moi’s alleged mistress, widely speculated to be Catherine Kasavuli, a popular news anchor at KTN at the time.
Machoka Narrates the Musician’s Deportation
However, in an interview earlier this year with radio presenter Patrick Igunza, Fred Machoka dismissed the rumor and provided a detailed account of the events that led to the DRC musician’s expulsion.
“We had planned everything. We had Kanda Bongo Man—everything was set. Suddenly, people entered the stage, including dancers and singers. Then the officers arrived and said, ‘There’s no show.’ I asked them why they were canceling it, and they said, ‘Orders from above.’ They asked me to announce the cancellation, but I declined because the crowd would get angry,” Machoka recalled.
Machoka then contacted Alphayo Onyango, the General Manager of the New Stanley Hotel, and informed him of the situation. Alphayo made the announcement that the show had been canceled.
The audience became furious, with some people throwing cups and glasses in frustration.
Later, Machoka went to Kanda Bongo Man’s room and found him dressed and ready for the performance. He informed him that the show had been canceled and that he didn’t know why.
“I told him, ‘Police from State House have said there’s no show.’ Shortly after, as we tried to leave, officers were already at the door. They told him, ‘You have to leave the country immediately.’ Kanda asked, ‘What will I leave with? The Air France plane has already left.’ The officers told him he would leave by the next available transport,” Machoka narrated.
The next morning, Machoka visited Kanda’s room again and found police officers still present, demanding that he leave. Kanda explained he would wait for the Air France flight arriving at 10:00 p.m., but the officers ordered him to vacate the hotel and wait at the airport instead.
Machoka drove Kanda to the airport and stayed with him until his flight departed.
While at the airport, Machoka inquired from some officers about the reason for Kanda’s deportation. Some claimed it was due to an affair with a presidential mistress, Catherine Kasavuli. But Machoka rejected this claim.
He asked Kanda Bongo Man directly if he knew Catherine Kasavuli, and the musician denied ever meeting her. Machoka believed him, as he had spent most of Kanda’s visit closely accompanying him.
After Kanda’s departure, Machoka sought to uncover the real reason behind the abrupt deportation. He recalled an incident involving Hezekiah Oyugi, a powerful and feared Permanent Secretary under President Moi’s administration. While staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in preparation for a performance at KICC, Kanda had been approached by men working under Oyugi.
Kanda Bongo Man Clears Air on Alleged Affair
They requested him to perform at the PS’s daughter’s wedding in Rongo. Kanda refused, stating that he did not perform at private functions. Instead, he suggested they consider fellow Congolese musician Tshala Muana, who was also in Kenya at the time.
According to Machoka, this refusal reportedly angered Oyugi, who then used President Moi’s name and influence to orchestrate Kanda Bongo Man’s deportation.
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In a 2024 interview with Radio Maisha, Kanda Bongo Man also addressed the incident. He said that the deportation stemmed from a clash between Hezekiah Oyugi and a senior immigration officer.
“Oyugi told me to perform for his daughter, Rose. But when I checked my passport, my visa was about to expire. I explained this to him, and he said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m a big man in the President’s office. No one will touch you.’
But the immigration officer, Mr. Kuinga, heard about it and refused to renew my visa. He said, ‘I’ll show him that I’m also a big man in this country.’ That’s why they sent immigration officers to deport me,” Kanda explained.
As for the alleged affair with Catherine Kasavuli, Kanda Bongo Man firmly denied it, stating that he only met her for the first time in 2005 at the airport when he was officially invited back to Kenya by then-Minister of Tourism and Information, Raphael Tuju.
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