Kidum's kingdom

Jean Pierre Nimbona aka Kidum has of late been accused of contractual misdemeanor. He sets the record straight with CAROLINE NYANGADressed in a blue checked designer shirt and a trouser to match, a seemingly troubled Kidum walks into our offices unaccompanied. The bubbly chap is not laughing. His ever-smiling face is now taut with a worrying grimace. This is a far cry from the Kidum who collapsed last Tuesday, during one of his performances at Club Legend Baricho Road, as a result of what his doctor described as ‘mounting pressure’. "I sometimes pity myself wondering about all the fabricated stories in the media. Could this be the price one has to pay for fame," Kidum asks rhetorically. Allegations galore Indeed the Kenya-based Burundian musician has been in the media glare for all the wrong reasons. The last few months, Kidum’s integrity as a profession has come under scrutiny.It begun in November last year, when Mombasa-based promoters only known to him as Humphrey and Frank accused him of failing to honour their contract at Whitesands Hotel even after they paid him Sh75, 000 as down payment. The two went ahead and contacted the media, crying foul. Kidum sees this as a ploy to finish him through bad press, as he never received the whole amount. "I was on a UK tour in November when they contacted me about the show. We had reached an agreement and they sent me half of the amount Sh75,000 promising to pay the rest before the concert." Kidum states that on his arrival at Mombasa two days to the concert, the promoters acted coy and didn’t cater for anything.He set up his equipment on the open air stage, I waited for the rest of the money to be paid. He says upon the duo’s arrival at about 9 pm, they ‘commanded’ him to get on stage saying they would pay him later. He obliged after they committed to pay the balance.However, a few minutes later as he did sound check it begun to rain heavily forcing the concert to come to a premature end. They had to schedule it for another day. It never materialized. "Instead, they came to Nairobi and ruined my name through bad press besides threatening me." Having had enough, Kidum arranged for a meeting with them at Rafikiz club Nairobi, where he undertook to reimburse their money.A few weeks later, Kidum was on the spotlight again. This time round Mombasa-based promoters John Chacha and Sultan Mo hammed accused him of missing out on a show that was to be held at Mombasa Beach Party despite having paid him Sh80,000 as down payment. They further accused him of issuing them with a bouncing cheque worth Sh105,000. According to the duo, the event, which was to feature Tanzania’s musician and TPF 4 finalist Peter Mshechu ended up making loses as a result. Without mincing words Kidum accepts he was at fault. "I missed my flight to Mombasa and informed the promoters of the same requesting them to reschedule the show which they obliged. However, they came to Nairobi a day after and begun threatening me using people who claimed to be from CID. On top of that they demanded that I pay them Sh250,000 for damages." Sensing danger Kidum wrote them a cheque,of which Pulse has a copy. He also agreed to do a free show at Mombasa’s South Coast, during which he was to solely cater for transport, food and accommodation for his entire group of nine band members. "Chacha called me and requested me to stop the cheque so that I could recoup the money I had used on airfare, food and accommodation, as this would have been their responsibility." Kidum says despite the successful show held on Christmas Eve the organisers would not let him go. They requested him to do two more shows on Christmas and Boxing Days promising him good money. However,instead of getting paid,Kidum says he was whisked away by police to Nyali Police Station for questioning on allegations of issuing a bouncing cheque to Chacha." Kidum was released after a short while. "They realised the cheque was stopped by the issuer (me) and not a ‘bouncing’ one as alleged by Chacha."Chacha however denies Kidum’s allegations terming it a ploy to ruin his reputation. While admitting having given Kidum the sum of Sh80, 000, as part of down payment Chacha says Kidum deliberately failed to come for the show and only informed him upon missing his flight. "I incurred great losses as a result. I want Kidum to know that aside from the Sh80, 000, I gave him I spent money in hiring sound, stage, and lighting that cost over Sh300,000." Chacha explains that they had an agreement with Kidum and his lawyer, and upon having reached an agreement they (Chacha and Kidum) went ahead and signed a drafted agreement indicating that Kidum was to pay Sh250,000. On allegations of being issued with a ‘bouncing cheque’ Chacha simply mentions he was not party to the cheque being stopped by the sender as claimed by Kidum and hence his decision to report the matter to the police. But Kidum says he is ready to take him on this."The manager known to me as Nelly helped me with all the formalities after Chacha gave us a go ahead to stop the cheque on phone. She bears witness to this and Chacha is well aware," reiterates Kidum. Despite all the hullabaloos Kidum vows the truth shall prevail.Missing in action Kidum has been accused by a section of club owners and managers for breaking contractual agreements. But the artiste chooses to apportion blame to the other party citing loopholes in contracts. "Most times we make verbal agreements during which I make my position known to them that in case of a huge concert abroad the arrangement is bound to change." Despite this caveat emptor, Kidum maintains that promoters end up tricking customers into believing that he will perform even when they fully know that he would not be available.

Kidum's kingdom

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