A night meant to honour veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka’s 50 years on air was overshadowed by reports of backstage friction between two of Congo’s most celebrated rhumba icons, with a tense on-stage moment also going viral online.
The Machoka@50 concert took place on Saturday, 10 October, at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Thousands of rhumba fans turned out to watch a stellar lineup that included Koffi Olomide and Quartier Latin International featuring Cindy Le Coeur, Mbilia Bel, Sam Fan Thomas, Les Wanyika, Them Mushrooms, Alicios Theluji and Freshly Mwamburi. The event was emceed by Jeff Koinange and Churchill.
What happened between Mbilia Bel and Koffi?
According to insider accounts, the programme ran behind schedule, and by the time the night reached Koffi Olomide’s allocated slot, both he and Mbilia Bel were reportedly ready to perform simultaneously. Organisers reportedly asked Mbilia Bel to hold back and allow Koffi to go on first, but she declined. Her team proceeded to the stage and she performed her set. The situation is said to have left Koffi Olomide and his team visibly frustrated backstage.
It is worth noting that the two artists are said to have had a long-running rivalry, with both reportedly making pointed remarks about each other in past interviews over the years.
A program of the event has also leaked showing that Mbilia was supposed to perform at 8:35pm and Koffi at 10pm.
Koffi refuses cake-cutting with Machoka
The backstage tension appeared to spill onto the stage later in the evening. After Koffi concluded his performance, Machoka invited him to stay on stage, dance with him and participate in cutting the anniversary cake marking his golden jubilee in broadcasting.
In a clip that has since circulated widely online, Koffi is seen raising both hands and walking away from Machoka. The veteran broadcaster is visibly trying to persuade him to stay, but Koffi reportedly left the stage. Reports suggest he cited fatigue after his performance, though others link the walkout directly to the earlier backstage dispute.
Concert declared a success despite the drama
Despite the reported tension, both Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel completed their performances and entertained the large crowd. Machoka subsequently thanked fans for attending and described the evening as a success.
Neither Koffi Olomide nor Mbilia Bel has issued a public statement addressing the reports. The accounts of a backstage clash remain based on insider sources and have not been officially confirmed.
