Nigerian singer Asake when he headlined the 2024 Afronation concert in Portugal.
The Tukutane Asake concert was meant to be one of the biggest music moments of the year. Fans from across Nairobi and beyond gathered at Nyayo Stadium to see the Nigerian star Asake perform live. The night promised excitement, fashion, and sound, but tragedy struck even before the music could fully begin.
On the night of December 20, 2025, thousands of people streamed toward Nyayo Stadium. Long before Asake stepped on stage, trouble had already begun outside the venue. Heavy rain fell as crowds waited at the gates. Entry delays caused tension, confusion, and growing frustration among fans who had arrived early, many with tickets in hand.
As the waiting continued, some people began pushing forward. Security barriers were overwhelmed as the crowd surged toward the entrance. In moments, the situation spiraled out of control. What started as impatience turned into a stampede. People screamed, slipped on wet ground, and fell as others pushed forward, unaware of what was happening beneath their feet.
An aerial view of Nyayo National Stadium.
Amid the chaos, Karen Lojore, a Daystar University student, collapsed during a crowd crush at the venue entrance. She was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead. Karen, who was in her mid-twenties, had a valid ticket for the concert.
News of Karen’s death spread quickly online, casting a dark cloud over what was meant to be a joyful night. Friends, classmates, and strangers shared messages of shock and sorrow. One friend wrote, “She was just going to enjoy music like everyone else. She had a ticket. She did everything right. This should not have happened.” Another added, “We are angry and heartbroken. Concerts should never cost someone their life.”
Many of Karen’s friends described her as kind, vibrant, and full of life. Photos and memories were shared across social media, with captions filled with disbelief. Several people questioned how such a tragedy could happen at a major event, calling for better planning and crowd control in the future.
Karen’s mother later broke her silence with a painful public message that touched many hearts. In her words, she asked, “Karen why? What happened? You had the damn ticket. What happened to my child? Who is going to answer my question? I want justice for my child. Please bring my child back to me.” Her message was widely shared, with many Kenyans offering condolences and support. Others echoed her call for answers and accountability.
Online reactions to the incident were strong and divided. Some people blamed the event organisers, saying safety was not taken seriously. Others pointed fingers at poor gate management and lack of clear communication. Many agreed that an event of this size should have had stronger safety measures in place, especially with bad weather and large crowds expected.
Amid the growing public anger and grief, Asake addressed the tragedy. In a heartfelt message shared on his official social media pages, he expressed deep sorrow over what had happened. “I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place on Dec 20th in Nairobi,” he wrote. “My heart goes out to the family, and loved ones of Karen Lojore.”
Asake went on to say that music is meant to bring joy and togetherness, not pain. “It breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss,” he said. He also offered condolence for Karen and her family, adding, “My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace.” He pledged that he would support efforts to understand what happened and called for accountability so such a tragedy does not happen again.
Some fans appreciated Asake’s message, saying it showed compassion and respect. Others said words were not enough and that real change was needed to protect fans at future events. Many hoped that the tragedy would push organisers, authorities, and artistes to take crowd safety more seriously.
In a statement on Monday night, the organisers said they were “cooperating fully with emergency services and relevant authorities as they work to understand what happened.”
Tukutane added that the safety of their concert goers is a matter they “take very seriously”.
“Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will not speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are committed to approaching this situation with care, transparency, and accountability, and will share additional information as appropriate and in coordination with the relevant authorities,” the event organisers added.
The first time Tukutane Entertainment Limited made headlines in a bad light was in December 19, 2020 when Sauti Sol cancelled on the morning of the scheduled event dubbed ‘Sol Saturday’ that was supposed to be one of the first pandemic in-person concerts.
Tickets to the show that was to be held at the Waterfront Mall in Karen, Nairobi from midday to 8pm costing between Sh2,500 and Sh6000 had sold out, but the band said, “We could not come to an agreement on the best way forward. With the recent uptick in confirmed infections and deaths around the world we cannot in good conscience recklessly endanger your wellbeing.”
Promoters of the concert were Tukutane Entertainment Limited and Masshouse Group Limited, and the band assured them that they would fully refunded their fee so that the fans also get their money back. Vendors, on the other hand, were counting their losses, posting food and drinks that they had bought and made ready in preparation for the even that wouldn’t take place. Fans also talked about lengthy and complex process that would see many not get their refunds for months after the cancellation.
Then in 2022, the incident that coined the infamous phrase “they did not meet the Tems and conditions” occurred. Tukutane Festival was supposed to happen on October 15, 2022 at Waterfront Karen after being moved from initial venue of Jamhuri Sports Grounds.
“Sadly Tems has cancelled her show in Nairobi on October 15 due to circumstances completely unexpected to us,” Tukutane wrote on their social media pages.
The Afrobeats star, who performed at Blankets and Wine on September 28 this year, had then posted on her social media pages with just over a week left to the event, “Hey, Kenya. Honestly, honestly it’s quite heartbreaking to say this, but I will not be able to perform at the Tukutane Festival due to circumstances beyond my control. I am as disappointed as you all are but I look forward to coming and giving you a show that you deserve. Love you all.”
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