Christmas will come early for Rhumba fans as legendary Congolose musician Koffi Olomode is set to perform in Kisumu City on December 14th.
The show dubbed Mzuqa Fest will also see some of the biggest Luo music artistes thrill fans in the lakeside city as the Christmas festivities set in.
Those lined up to curtain raise for Olomide include Prince Inda, Apesi, and Madanje Perimeter.
Also lined up is the celebrated Zaiko Langa Langa band and a host of other upcoming local artistes.
The show to be held at the 30,000-seater Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo has generated a lot of excitement amongst Rhumba fans.
This will be the second time Koffi Olomide is performing in the country after he was deported in 2016 when a video of him assaulting a woman went viral.
The concert’s promoter, Dr. Ofweneke, said tickets were almost sold out, urging all fans to take advantage and secure their chance to be part of the thrilling show.
Kisumu and the larger Western Kenya region, he said, were the largest Rumba fan bases in the country, adding that the show sponsored by Cape Media was a special treat for the fans.
“Most of us here grew up listening to Franco, Sam Mangwana, Koffi Olomide, and a host of other Rhumba artistes. Kisumu is an entertainment city; therefore, this show is going to be big,” he said.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the show was a testament to Kisumu City’s stature as a vibrant entertainment and tourist hub.
“Hosting an artist of Koffi Olomide’s stature is both a privilege and a testament to the progress Kisumu has made in positioning itself as a city that embraces cultural diversity and artistic excellence,” he said.
The festival, he said, was not just about entertainment but an expression of the County Government of Kisumu’s vision to uplift Kisumu’s profile on the global stage.
“Through initiatives like Mzuga Fest, we strive to position our region as a destination of choice for music, culture, and entertainment. These efforts are part of our broader “Kisumu My Pride” campaign,” he said.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member in Charge of Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Marketing, Faridah Salim, said the event was set to boost tourism in the area.
Hotels and small traders, he added, were set to benefit immensely from the concert.
By Chris Mahandara