Musician General Defao released after Jaguar settles Sh20,000 hotel bill

MOMBASA: Popular artiste Charles Njagua Kanyi, alias Jaguar, has settled a Sh20,000 hotel bill for Nairobi-based Congolese Rhumba musician Defao Matumona Lulendo.

Reports indicate that Mr Defao, who had been detained at a Mombasa hotel, has since left Mombasa for Nairobi.

Jaguar told The Standard that it was unfortunate that Defao had found himself in such a situation.

"When I heard about what had befallen Defao who is a respected and elderly musician, I decided to help in the best way possible,'' he said.

Jaquar sent the money directly to the hotel. "I am an artiste and what happened to Defao could happen to anyone, me included," he said.

Defao reportedly fell into trouble after his promoter allegedly failed to clear his bills.

He had been invited to perform at the popular Bobs Bar on July 30 by the club's management.

Rashid Osundwa, the proprietor of Bobs Bar, denied claims that he was solely to blame for what befell Defao.

"He agreed to be manipulated by one of his own countrymen who served as a linkman in his musical tour,'' Mr Osundwa said.

Osundwa said that he met his contractual obligations with Defao and that he was not aware of the "extended days" which made the hotel bill soar.

"He never showed up as agreed and efforts to trace him were futile only for him to resurface on a Thursday with claims that his hotel bills had risen to Sh20,000," Osundwa said.

But Defao insisted that he never disappointed during the show last Saturday and was due to fly to Nairobi for weekend engagements which he missed.