A young woman has died following a stampede at Nyayo National Stadium during a concert by Nigerian singer Asake in Nairobi on Saturday night, December 20, 2025.
The deceased has been identified as Karen Lojore, a student at Daystar University, who reportedly collapsed during a crush at the venue. She was rushed to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Karen was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science at Daystar University’s School of Science, Engineering, and Health.
Public Outcry and Calls for Justice
News of Karen’s death sparked widespread outrage across the country, with Kenyans taking to social media to demand accountability and justice over what many described as poor crowd control and event safety failures.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety standards at large-scale entertainment events in Kenya.
Asake Issues Condolence Message
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, issued a statement on Monday night expressing his condolences to Karen’s family and loved ones.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore, and I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable,” Asake said.
The Bandana hitmaker said he was deeply saddened by the incident.
“Music has always been my way of sharing love and joy, and it breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss,” he added.
Event Organisers Respond
The concert organiser, Tukutane Entertainment, addressed the incident two days after the tragedy, saying they were cooperating fully with authorities.
In a statement released Monday night, the organisers said they were working closely with emergency services and relevant agencies to establish what went wrong.
“We are cooperating fully with emergency services and relevant authorities as they work to understand what happened,” the statement read.
Tukutane Entertainment added that the safety of concertgoers 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.”
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scenes
Eyewitnesses at the concert described chaotic scenes at the stadium entrance, with heavy congestion and crowd pressure triggering panic.
One witness said the crushing occurred near the main gate and inside a tunnel within the stadium as fans attempted to gain entry.
The congestion reportedly escalated quickly, overwhelming crowd control measures at the venue.
Earlier Controversy Before the Stampede
The concert had earlier been marred by controversy after Kenyan music group Kodong Klan withdrew from the event hours before the tragedy.
In a statement, the group cited alleged mistreatment and logistical challenges, including interference during soundcheck and a lack of intervention from organisers.
“Disrespect and disregard for agreed-upon standards culminated in unacceptable treatment of our artist and team,” the group said.
Tukutane Entertainment later disputed the claims, stating that Kodong Klan’s withdrawal was independent and that all contractual obligations had been met.
“The decision by Kodong Klan to withdraw from the event was made independently,” the organisers said, adding that they bore no responsibility or liability for the withdrawal.
Safety Under Scrutiny as Investigations Continue
The incident has renewed scrutiny over crowd management, emergency preparedness, and safety protocols at major entertainment events in Kenya.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Karen Lojore’s death are ongoing, as the country mourns another life lost in what many have described as a preventable tragedy.