Bongo Flava Star Harmonize is reportedly under arrest in Kenya and is being held Kileleshwa police station, a day after headlining the Afrika Moja Concert at the KICC, Citizen TV has reported.
Harmonize, who was supposed to leave the country on Sunday, was arrested after he reportedly failed to honour several appearances at various Nairobi clubs.
Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi has also been implicated in the brewing scandal, with claims that he collected money from bar owners in exchange for the star's appearance at the bars.
Citizen Digital has learned that a former Nairobi Governor cum club proprietor had already paid hundreds of thousands for the Tanzanian sensation to perform at one of his establishments.
Harmonize was detained at the Kileleshwa police station, for questioning over complaints from the show.
Police said they were investigating an allegation of receiving money for fraud. When news of his arrest became known, some of his followers filled the station.
Kilimani Police Chief Mbogo Muturi said officers are taking action on complaints from some of the artist's curators.
Melamany Limited, the promoter who brought Harmonize to the country, downplayed the arrest allegations, telling the press that Harmonize was taken to the police station "for her own safety."
Reportedly, he didn't even know about the club's performances, as the promoter had only been told that hitmaker 'Kwangwa Lu' would only perform at KICC.
'Konde Boy' was supposed to perform for one and a half hours at Captain's Lounge in Sabaki, but only did five minutes, according to Jor Barsil, a director at the club.
“I paid Sh9 million to Melamani Limited for Harmonize to come to the club for a party and to be with the fans for one and a half hours, but when he came he only stayed for not more than five minutes,”
“This angered the fans who wanted to beat him up but I protected him, I want be refunded the amount I spent,”
Barsil told Citizen Digital that the set up cost Sh20 million and the star's appearance cost Sh9 million.
Meanwhile, Omondi and Harmonize were forced to flee an establishment along Mombasa road on Friday night after enraged patrons complained that the singer had only performed for less than two minutes.
Omondi defended himself by claiming that the singer was only supposed to make an appearance at the club, while enjoying himself, and that it was not a mini concert.
“Kenyans have to understand the difference between a club appearance, or technical appearance, or a meetandgreet and an afterparty. They don't look like concerts," said the comedian.
"The writer is just having a good time and having fun, nothing special. He shouldn't have played. Harmonize was going to play for KICC. They didn't expect him to play. It shouldn't have been.",
The confusion seems to have begun after Harmonize briefly appeared in the club and then disappeared.
Paid over 100,000 shillings for a VVIP ticket to an event advertised as "Strange Friday on Harmonize Live hosted by Eric Omondi," which was at most entertainment venues.
Tags:
Entertainment