Four years after he was deported by the Kenyan government for assaulting one of his female dancers, Congolese crooner Koffi Olomide on Monday returned to Kenya with the promise to perform for the ladies in Nairobi in May.
The singer was cleared at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the scene of the infamous incident which had him kicked out of Kenya in July 2016.
His deportation came after a video that captured the incident went viral.
Speaking on Monday in Nairobi when he made a short stop-over, the Ekotitee hit-maker for the umpteenth time apologised to Kenyans for the incident, saying he will be coming back to perform for the ladies.
“I am sorry I have been late for four years. I am sorry for the incident. I am happy to be back and I promise on the 9th May, the show will all be about the ladies,” he said.
But his return to Kenya, which coincided with the International Women’s Week (March 9-13), appears not to have been well received by a section of the online community.
Here are some reactions from Kenyans on Twitter:
Koffi Olomide is back in Kenya. When we tell you that you hate women, you say we are exaggerating. How is this not a message of hate to women?
— #WeAre52pc (@sophieotiende) March 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/RayEKat/status/1237323036145201154
I'm here for when the people who called out Koffi Olomide for beating that girl, will throng to that concert shouting at the top of their voices.
— MichaelYoungHistory (@koyagah) March 10, 2020
Unacceptable. Here's the video of Koffi Olomide assaulting one of his dancers the last time he was in Kenya. He was deported for it. Why have you allowed this criminal back into Kenya, @immigrationKE?https://t.co/2ve5XiHMhh https://t.co/h3ssupLyUi
— Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) March 9, 2020
Why is a controversial man allowed to comeback to the country? Kenya doesn't allow celebs who abuse women. @FredMatiangi can you deport Koffi olomide? Kenyans can't allow violence agst women on its soil. #DEPORTOLOMIDE
— Odhiambo Musita (@OdhiamboM_) March 10, 2020
@KoffiOlomide_MM
You are not welcomed in Kenya. Your have not paid for your atrocities. Your sins can be forgiven but not forgotten.
We know you are here but we do not want your performances. #KoffiMustGoKE— Ms.Malala (@luttah_malala) March 9, 2020
Koffi Olomide landing back in .ke the weekend of IWD is, well, peak content I guess.
— Bruce Muchelule (@BruceMuchelule) March 9, 2020
I thought Kenyans cancelled Koffi Olomide ?
— Archie K (@Ar_ch_ie) March 8, 2020