Fred Obachi Machoka’s Golden Jubilee concert turned into one of the weekend’s most talked-about events for all the wrong reasons after a video showing a heated moment with Congolese Rhumba legend Koffi Olomide went viral.
The Machoka@50 Grand Concert, held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday, 10 October, was a star-studded affair marking 50 years of Machoka’s broadcasting career, built largely on his beloved Roga Roga programme on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.
The event, which ran from noon to midnight, brought together acts including Mbilia Bel, Cameroonian legend Sam Fan Thomas, Les Wanyika, Them Mushrooms, Alicios Theluji and Freshly Mwamburi.
Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna and COTU boss Francis Atwoli were among the dignitaries in attendance. Tickets ranged from KSh 5,000 for regular advance entry to KSh 25,000 for VVIP, with a table for six priced at KSh 140,000.
What happened between Machoka and Koffi Olomide?
The drama unfolded when Machoka invited Koffi to cut the anniversary cake on stage as part of the celebrations. Koffi, who had just wrapped up an electrifying performance of his hit Effrakata_ alongside his Quartier Latin International orchestra and Cindy Le Coeur, reportedly declined the request.
In the footage now circulating widely, the Congolese maestro, known across Africa as Grand Mopao, is seen raising his hands in protest before walking off the stage, leaving the audience visibly stunned.
Machoka, in his signature red shirt and black hat, can be seen desperately trying to reason with him and urging him to stay. One report described the moment as Koffi claiming he was too exhausted to continue with the ceremony.
The clip quickly reignited debate about Koffi’s well-documented temper. Many Kenyans recalled his 2016 deportation from the country after a video surfaced showing him kicking one of his dancers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Concert already trending before Koffi walkout
The event had already been making headlines before the Koffi incident. Earlier in the evening, Machoka ordered security to eject his niece, former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, after she chanted wantam the opposition slogan calling for President William Ruto to serve only one term. Machoka was heard saying,
“Please, security, toa huyu msichana hapa. You can not screw up my job.”
Despite the fracas, the show continued. Koffi had earlier praised Kenyan fans and authorities for welcoming him back, and his performance was widely described as commanding, complete with his trademark soukous footwork.
Machoka, who has long referred to Koffi as his younger brother and credits himself with introducing the Congolese star to Kenyan audiences in the 1990s, appeared to brush off the incident and carried on with proceedings. Sources close to the organising team later indicated that the two reconciled backstage.
