Nairobi is in mourning following the death of a young woman, Karen Lojore, during a stampede at the highly anticipated “Asake Live in Nairobi” concert at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday night. The tragedy has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for accountability in event management.
Breaking his silence on Monday, Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, expressed devastation over the incident. In an Instagram post, he extended condolences to Lojore’s family and urged that those responsible be held accountable. “I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec 20th in Nairobi. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore. Those responsible should be held accountable,” he wrote.
Event organisers, Tukutane Entertainment, issued a statement confirming the loss of life and offering condolences but stopped short of admitting liability. They said they are cooperating with emergency services and authorities while the investigation continues and requested the public refrain from speculation.
The tragedy followed a series of logistical issues. Kenyan alternative collective Kodong Klan, scheduled to perform, pulled out hours before the concert, citing interference and disrespect from Asake’s team during soundcheck. Their sudden cancellation contributed to delays and heightened tensions outside the stadium.
Eyewitnesses reported severe crowding at the stadium gates. Thousands of fans with valid tickets, including Lojore, were funnelled through a single narrow entry point. Police reportedly used batons instead of organised crowd control measures, worsening the panic. Lojore, in her 20s, was caught in the crush and later pronounced dead at Nairobi West Hospital.
Public grief has intensified following social media posts from Lojore’s mother, who questioned why a valid ticket did not guarantee her daughter’s safety. Her calls for justice have resonated widely and intensified scrutiny on event organisers and security teams.
The tragedy draws painful parallels to the fatal crowd crush at Asake’s December 2022 concert at London’s O2 Academy Brixton, where two people died. Authorities, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have launched a probe to determine whether Nairobi’s incident was an accident or the result of negligence.
The Nairobi concert tragedy highlights critical gaps in crowd management and event safety. As investigations continue, fans and observers await answers and accountability for the preventable loss of life.
