This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
On August 10, 2019, Congolese singer General Defao Matumona returned to Kinshasa after 18 years of a self-imposed exile in Nairobi.
The singer's return was facilitated by the change of government in Congo DR, with the new President Felix Tshisekedi warming up to him.
Defao fled Kinshasa in 2002, the year President Joseph Kabila came to power.
During his exile, Defao continued to create music, and his 'Sala Noki' hit song composer's return to Congo followed heightened activity on social media, in which he sang bits of his popular recordings and announced that he was finally getting ready to return home.
He said he was making the journey back at the invitation of President Tshisekedi.
Defao's return has been met with excitement, with a campaign to have him, one of the most talented and flamboyant Congolese musicians, return home.
One of his last major shows in Kenya was held last month at the Mutengene Resort Club in Webuye, Bungoma County.
On his arrival in Kinshasa, Defao was received by top fellow artistes, including former Empire Bakuba Band guitarist Lofombo Gode and his former Big Stars Band vocalist Montana Kamenga.
