'When Aurlus Mabele came to Kenya...' Fred Machoka remembers music legend

Veteran media personality Fred Obachi Machoka has reminisced about the last time, music legend Aurlus Mabele was in Kenya.

The African music icon passed on Thursday last week at aged 67 years. He was battling throat cancer dor 15 years and had suffered a stroke 5 years ago.

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According to a tweet by his daughter, French singer Liza Monet, her father died of coronavirus.

“I am inconsolable,” she wrote.

Speaking to Mpasho, Fred sent condolences to the music legend’s entire family and also his fans.

“It is a sad day to the family and all other fans in general coz that was a respected person in the industry, especially Soukous music lovers,” he said.

Fred said the icon has been ailing for a very long time.

“We have been praying he will recover but this coronavirus does not seem to be sparing people,” he said.

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Kenyans got a chance to watch him live in 1991. He was backed by his new solo guitarist Dally Kimoko, Jean Baron and then-drummer Awilo Longomba.

“When he came to Kenya and I hosted him at the KICC. It was immediately after the inaugural Kanda Bongoman tour. That was a musician and a half and it is a pity he has rested,” Fred said.

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On the memories, Fred said all his songs were hits.

“‘Embargo’ is one of the songs that will continue to resonate with the Soukous lovers for a long time. He is a musician who came into the industry when people used to sings by starting with a small tempo but that changed.”

Fred then encouraged people to observe all the guidelines given to prevent themselves from contacting Covid-19.

“Coronavirus is real and therefore let no one assume that it only hit elsewhere,” he said.