Nigerian-British musician Gabriel Akinyemi, popularly known as Gabzy, has opened up following the death of his fan Karen Lojore. Lojore, a student at Daystar University, sustained fatal injuries during a stampede at a concert headlined by Asake at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium. The incident, which occurred amid heavy rainfall, delayed gate access, and poor crowd control, saw fans surge toward the entry points despite having valid tickets. Lojore was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Gabzy addressed the tragedy after receiving a message from Lojore’s friend, Gitata, seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding her death. The message highlighted frustrations over the event organizers’ response, calling for accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents. Gitata wrote, “We want them to answer our questions. Tell us exactly what happened and explain why their security system failed to the point that our Lojo had to lose her life. May God bless you in advance. #justiceforkarenlojore.”
In his response, Gabzy admitted that Lojore’s death deeply affected him. He confirmed that he had reached out to her family and close friends to offer support and expressed his dismay over the incident. “This has affected me to the point that I don’t think I’d ever do another show in Kenya again. I can only imagine how it has affected her family and friends. I’m with you and hope the answers come to light soon,” he said.
Gabzy was one of the top-performing artists at the concert. The tragedy has sparked widespread discussions on event safety and the responsibilities of organizers in ensuring proper crowd control. Fans and advocates continue to call for thorough investigations and reforms to prevent future losses.
Karen Lojore’s death has left a lasting impact on those who knew her and on the artists who performed that night. Gabzy’s response demonstrates the emotional toll such incidents take on performers who feel connected to their audience. The music community and fans are now watching closely for accountability from the concert organizers.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures at large-scale events, from effective crowd management to timely access control. Lojore’s family, friends, and fans continue to seek justice, and Gabzy’s public acknowledgment underscores the human cost behind such tragedies.
