This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
Legendary Congolese musician Tabu Ley's songbird Mbilia Bel is preparing for a nostalgic return to Kenya, where she first came 37 years ago as a member of Afrisa International.
Bel is expected in Nairobi at the end of November for the Koroga Festival, which has gained a reputation as a premier music event on the continent.
During her first trip to Kenya in 1982, Bel, who was initially a dancer, joined Tabu Ley's band and later carved a niche as a top singer, doing lead vocals on the hit song 'Kamunga.'
Bel has since visited Kenya several times for shows and is set to share the stage at the Bomas of Kenya during Koroga Festival with her London-based countryman Kanda Bongo Man, who will also be making a memorable return to the country since 2012.
Bel's fans should also expect to savour a new Congolese dance style, backed by three dancers from Kinshasa, who will be performing the 'Kanyaga sema sorry' (Pardon me for stepping on you) dance style.
Speaking recently to the Saturday Nation, Bel said she was looking forward to returning to Kenya to give her fans the best.
Bel staged her last major show at the Club Meladen in Nairobi on June 30, 2017, and has since become a household name in Kenya, with her evergreen hit 'Nakei Nairobi' remaining her flagship.
Kenyan artists Emma Jalamo and Steve Kay are also set to perform during the two-day festival, which starts on November 30 and ends on December 1.
