Renowned Burundian musician Kidum Kibido recently shared the story behind his move to Kenya, recounting his transformation from a refugee to a celebrated figure in the Kenyan music scene.
During an interview with Dr. Ofweneke, Kidum revealed that his move to Kenya was not initially about pursuing music but was the result of being misinformed.
He was mistakenly led to believe that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) would relocate him to Europe.
“I came to Kenya because I was told in Kenya, UNHCR takes people to Europe. Based on what I saw on TV, I was eager to move to Europe,” Kidum revealed.
However, after arriving in Kenya, life took an unexpected turn for the musician who was just 22-years-old then as he started playing in bands, eventually discovering his true passion in music.
Prior to that, Kidum had escaped to the Democratic Republic of Congo before eventually moving on to Tanzania.
“Dad gave me 60 dollars and kissed me goodbye. I crossed over into Tanzania where I lived under bridges and mosques for a while. Using some of the money I had been given, I paid for transportation to Nairobi from where the United Nations was relocating refugees to different countries,” he stated in a past interview with the Standard.
He revealed that while at Kakuma Refugee Camp waiting to return home, the conflict in his country dragged on longer than expected. Consequently, he chose to obtain Kenyan citizenship and has remained in Kenya ever since, only returning to Burundi for performances.
“I wanted to go back home to my father so I opted to remain in Kenya. And moved to Kakuma Refugee Camp. I remember staying by my small radio waiting to hear if there was peace back home but at some point there seemed to be no hope so I realised that I had to stay. Eventually my papers were changed to read Kenyan and not refugee. I have since been to Burundi for performances,”the musician stated.
Kidum’s personal life has been fraught with challenges, including three marriages. He attributes the difficulties to losing his father at a young age, which left him without essential guidance as he adapted to life in a new country.
“I lost my dad early, so I missed out on guidance. I was alone in a foreign land,” he said.
He has seven biological children and has adopted an eighth. Despite two failed marriages, he stated that he is committed to making his third marriage with his wife Christina work, urging people to be honest with their significant others about their true feelings in their relationships.
