I am human even though I am a superstar - Olomide begs Kenyans for pardon

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) musician, Koffi Olomide, has asked for forgiveness from Kenyans three months after he was arrested for kicking his female dancer in Kenya.

The man known as king of African rumba made the headlines in July after his arrest at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. He was arrested after the video of his alleged assault went viral on social media.

The police chief ordered his arrest after which he was deported to the DRC the following day. Olomide’s apology was aired on a popular local comedy show (Churchill Show) in Kenya over the weekend. He asked for forgiveness for he is ‘only human’.

“My fellow brothers and sisters in Kenya, I want to send you a message of love and respect. I am sorry for what happened last time and my cry is that you forgive me for what happened.

‘‘I am only a human being even though I am a superstar… Most people thought I would not be able to do it, but I am doing it and I would do it again from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Koffi olomide has apologized from the bottom of his heart #churchillshow

— Ian from da block (@imoywaywa) October 16, 2016

Days after his return to the DRC, he was picked up at his Kinshasa home and hauled before court. Olomide was charged with assault and battery and was detained in jail.

He was granted bail after spending four days in jail. His Kenyan show and another in Zambia were cancelled after the bad press that followed his arrest and deportation. He held his first post-detention show in Brazzaville, the capital of neighbouring Republic of Congo a day after his release on bail.

Calls for his arrest and trial were championed by a Congressman, Zakarie Bababaswe, who filed a petition on behalf of the Congolese public to have the musician punished for assault.

He also released a song dedicated to women. The song titled “Mama pardons” has a chorus of “Mama pardon” – French phrase for ‘sorry mom,’ as Olomide is heard singing at some point saying “forgive me.” Apparently an apology for the assault that got him arrested, deported and charged in court in less than a week.

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