Renowned Congolese artist Koffi Olomide, famously known as "Grand Mopao," left fans in Kisumu disappointed after delivering what many described as a subpar and disrespectful performance at the Mzuqa Fest.
The event, which had fans paying up to Ksh 15,000 for VVIP tickets, quickly turned into a social media uproar. Attendees revealed that Koffi appeared on stage without his band, relying instead on pre-recorded tracks played from a flash drive and his phone.
One attendee recounted, “Koffi performed for just 10 minutes, using his phone to play recorded songs. It felt like a karaoke session.” Another fan criticized the lack of effort, saying, “He came alone, no band, and acted more like a socialite recording himself on stage than a legendary performer.”
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The backlash online was swift, with one user mocking the performance, asking: “Are we even sure that was the real Koffi Olomide? Ati alikuja na flash disk?” Another commenter expressed frustration, saying: "Foreign artists are coming to Kenya to fleece us. This is pure disrespect!"
This isn’t the first time international stars have faced criticism in Kenya for disappointing performances. Artists like Diamond Platnumz and Lauryn Hill have previously been called out for similar issues, sparking conversations about the treatment of Kenyan fans.
The event also reignited discussions on supporting local talent, with one fan remarking: “You refuse to support Willy Paul, but you’ll pay 15K for Koffi?”
Despite the outrage, some saw humor in the situation, with one tweet joking: “Koffi Olomide was chased away like a brukenge after trying to perform karaoke.” Another said: “Let me laugh on behalf of my Kisumu folks!”
**Uncle Waffles Concert Drama**
Koffi's debacle came just weeks after another international act, Swazi DJ and producer Uncle Waffles, faced backlash during her December 2024 concert at the ASK Dome in Nairobi.
The event, which drew over 10,000 fans eager for her Amapiano beats, was plagued by overcrowding, poor sound quality, and mismanagement. These issues ultimately led to the cancellation of her performance.
In a statement, Uncle Waffles expressed her disappointment, highlighting how fans and her team were mistreated. “People were pushed around, mishandled, and treated with the least amount of care, and that is something I will not stand for,” she said.
Both incidents have sparked widespread debate about the quality of international performances in Kenya and the need to prioritize local talent and better event management.
