Asake Addresses Fatal Stampede at Nairobi Concert And Calls for Accountability
Nigerian star Asake has issued a public response following reports that a young woman died in a crowd surge outside his concert in Nairobi, Kenya, underscoring renewed concerns about crowd safety at major live music events. The incident occurred on Dec. 20 outside Nyayo Stadium, where Asake was scheduled to perform as part of his ongoing run of shows across Africa.
According to the BBC, Kenya’s National Police Service confirmed that a 20-year-old woman, identified as Karen Lojore, was crushed to death near one of the stadium’s entry points following what authorities described as a brief stampede. While the situation later stabilized and the concert proceeded as planned, police said the fatality occurred before attendees were fully admitted into the venue.
In a statement shared via his Instagram Story, Asake said he was “devastated by the tragic incident” and expressed condolences to Lojore’s family and loved ones. “My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore,” he wrote. “I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable.” He added that music has always represented “love and joy” for him, making the loss especially painful. “It breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss,” he continued, concluding with a message of solidarity: “God bless Kenya.”
Kenya’s National Police Service told the BBC that the incident unfolded near the entrance gates, emphasizing that the victim was “pressed to death” during the surge. Authorities have not yet announced whether charges will be filed or where responsibility may ultimately lie, noting that investigations remain ongoing.
Event organizer Tukutane Entertainment also released a statement acknowledging the death and confirming cooperation with local authorities and emergency services. “The safety and well-being of everyone who attends our events is something we take very seriously,” the company said. “We are committed to approaching this situation with care, transparency, and accountability.” The organizer added that it would refrain from speculation while investigations continue and would share further updates in coordination with officials.
The concert, held at the 18,000-capacity venue, was co-headlined by Asake and British-Nigerian singer Gabzy. Asake announced the Nairobi date in September as part of a larger slate of performances across the African continent this winter, reflecting his growing international reach.
The tragedy also echoes a previous crowd-related incident involving the artist. In December 2022, two people were killed during a crowd crush outside London’s Brixton Academy following one of his shows. At the time, Asake publicly expressed grief and said he was working with authorities to understand what led to the incident. Speaking later to Rolling Stone, he described the experience as overwhelming, noting that thousands of fans remained outside the venue even after capacity had been reached.
