Tabu Ley burial set for Monday in DR Congo

Fallen music icon Tabu Ley will be buried on Monday in his DR Congo home.

The musician died in Brussels last week and funeral arrangements began yesterday when his family, friends, fans and well-wishers converged at the funeral home to pay their last respects.

Today, his family and members of his former Afrisa International Band will fly to Kinshasa with the body ahead of the burial.

Meanwhile, popular Congolese musician Kanda Bongoman, who is in Kenya for a number of performances, has said he would dedicate his shows to Tabu Ley.

“I was saddened to learn of his death prior to my trip and will perform some of his songs,” said the flamboyant musician, who arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday from South Africa.

Since his arrival in Kenya, Kanda and his backing group have been rehearsing some of Tabu Ley’s songs like Muzina.

SKIPPING THE CITY

However, unlike in the past, when he performed to huge crowds in Nairobi, the Congolese star will this time exclusively tour western Kenya, which will certainly not endear him to his fans in the capital and the coast.

Kanda says he was elated to be in Kenya and expressed his desire to be part of the 50th anniversary.

Last night he was due to perform at Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret Town. Today he will be in Bungoma at the KIE grounds.

Kisumu fans can prepare for a taste of his rich repertoire on Jamhuri Day, December 11, at Victoria Railway Club.

According to Mr Dan Kwanusu, of tour organisers Mwamba Media, it was due to special requests by fans in the North Rift and western that they decided to arrange the concerts.

“The shows will be used to raise funds for youth projects in the region. We are planning bigger shows after this,”  Mr Kwanusu  said.

Kanda commands a big following in Kenya, thanks to his superb live shows and lingering rumours over one of his past visits.

Several decades ago, he was spirited to the airport in Nairobi and put on a plane for reportedly stepping on the toes on some powerful personalities. There has never been an official explanation about what the fuss was all about.

In East Africa, the name Kanda is synonymous with hit songs Inde Monie, Sai and Muchana. And most recently, his reworking of an old favourite, Sweet Elizabeth, has sent his fans into a frenzy.

Kanda was introduced to Kenyan fans of the popular Congolese Lingala beat through the Urtna music exchange programme on KBC TV.

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements for Tabu Ley began in Brussels yesterday when his family, friends, fans and well-wishers converged at the funeral home to pay their last respects.