Why Sh10m pay demand could stop Koffi Olomide's show

Mr Olomide was blocked from performing and thrown out of the country, for allegedly assaulting one of his female dancers ahead of the extravaganza.

Also Read: Koffi Olomide set to tour Kenya years after deportation

In a demand letter obtained by the Nation, the two promoters through lawyer Thiong’o Gachaga of Githumbi & Achoki Advocates, are demanding a refund of $50,032 (Sh7,669,905) and a further Sh1,410,000 plus interest at current rates from the date of the performance.

The promoters are now threatening to go to court to recover the money as efforts to get the payment since 2016 have been futile, as Mr Olomide allegedly became elusive.

The promoters say they met all the terms agreed upon in a binding contract between them and Mr Olomide for the March 2016 show that never happened.

 “Our clients thus have suffered the loss of expected earnings from the event. Your being deported was self-inflicted and thus any liability is directly borne by you and not our clients. Our clients thereafter followed up with you for the refund of the direct costs that they had used to mobilise for the event but to date, you have not refunded the costs,” the demand letter reads.

Mr Gachaga said as part of the deal, the promoters paid $20,000 (Sh3 million) as deposit for the performance to Koffi, sent $1,000 (Sh153,000) to Koffi Olomide Aliane as instructed and paid $25,172 (Sh3,860,000) for a return ticket to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Also Read: Koffi Olomide’s fans to get a refund after Nairobi concert is cancelled

 The lawyer added that his clients paid $1,210 (Sh186,000) as accommodation at Villa Rosa Kempinski, a further $2,650 (Sh406,000) for transport charges, visa charges of the band in Congo and in Kenya, paid Sh580,000 to advertise the show and a further Sh350,000 to the Bomas of Kenya as venue fees.

The letter also said the promoters paid Sh480,000 as equipment charges but the show was cancelled and the singer was deported over assault claims, forcing the cancellation of the show.

The promoters have now given Mr Olomide 12 hours to settle the debt or else they will ensure the show scheduled to be held at The Dome, Jamhuri showground on Ngong Road, doesn’t happen as planned.

 “Strictly note within 12 hours from the date of this demand (7^th December 2023) our clients intend to stop your show at The Dome, Jamhuri showground on Ngong Road on 9^th December 2023. We have taken the liberty to inform the administrative units within the areas which you are purposed to perform,” the lawyer said in the letter, which has also been copied to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), OCS Jamhuri police station and Director of Immigration.

The rumba star had jetted into the country on July 22, 2016, and a scuffle ensued at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when he allegedly kicked a dancer in his troupe. He was subsequently arrested later at night along Denis Pritt Road as he left a local TV station where he had an interview.

The popular singer was deported alongside a few members of his crew and banned from setting foot in Kenya.

The police then stated the singer was deported for creating a disturbance at the airport. Mr Olomide would later make a quiet entry back to the country four years later after the ban was lifted.

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