One of Africa’s biggest musicians Koffi Olomide has been deported from Kenya after he was filmed appearing to kick a woman.
Footage of the incident quickly prompted outrage on social media. In the video, the 60-year-old Congolese musician can be viewed appearing to kick his female dancer at Nairobi international airport on Friday.
The Rumba star denied assaulting anyone to the BBC but was arrested hours after arriving in Kenya for a concert. He was deported to the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, alongside three of his dancers.
Despite denying assault, Olomide has since apologised to his fans, especially “women and children” and asked for forgiveness in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday.
“I profoundly regret what happened... it was a moment of madness,” Olomide told Congolese national broadcaster RTNC in an interview embedded in the same Facebook post. He also apologised directly to the people of the DRC.
Since the incident, organisers in Zambia have cancelled a concert by Olomide. The Agriculture and Commercial society of Zambia said the “disappointing” incident had prompted the decision.
The soukous singer, who is massively popular across Africa, has had several gold records in his career and is the founder of the Quartier Latin International orchestra.
