A Nairobi-based lawyer has filed a formal complaint against the organisers of Blankets & Wine, accusing them of misleading consumers and delivering a poorly executed event that failed to meet its advertised standards.
The complaint, lodged with the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) by Francis Wanjiku, concerns the September 28, 2025 edition of the popular outdoor music festival held at Laureate Grounds in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Wanjiku alleges that GoodTimes Africa, the company behind Blankets & Wine, engaged in unfair trade practices and violated Kenya’s Competition Act (Cap. 504) by promising a premium experience that was never delivered. The filing calls for a formal investigation into what he describes as a ‘misrepresented, shoddy, and chaotic’ event that left many attendees feeling shortchanged.
The complaint invokes Section 9 of the Act, which protects consumers from misleading marketing, unfair conduct and false representation. Wanjiku wants CAK to determine whether the organisers breached those provisions and, if so, compel them to refund or compensate affected ticket-holders.
What was billed as a stylish day of live music, food, and culture quickly descended into confusion and disorganisation. Attendees took to social media immediately after the festival to vent their frustrations, describing long queues, overcrowding, poor sound quality, and delayed performances.
Many said they had bought tickets for what was marketed as an elevated “premium experience” — complete with faster service, exclusive lounges, and quality sound — but found none of those promises fulfilled.
Social media timelines were filled with images and clips showing congested entry points, malfunctioning drink token systems, and visibly frustrated crowds. Several attendees claimed the event sold more tickets than the venue could comfortably accommodate, while others said it was almost impossible to get food or drinks after hours of waiting in line.
The event, which has long been considered one of East Africa’s most reputable live entertainment brands, faced its most intense backlash to date.
Wanjiku’s complaint is now one of the first formal attempts to test how far consumer protection extends within Kenya’s entertainment industry. By filing with CAK — rather than a civil court — he has positioned the issue as a matter of public interest, arguing that hundreds of consumers suffered similar experiences after paying high prices based on false promises.
In his submission, Wanjiku urges CAK to hold GoodTimes Africa accountable for ‘false representation and exploitation of consumers.’ If found culpable, the organisers could face heavy fines of up to 10 percent of their annual turnover, and be required to refund or compensate those affected.
Blankets & Wine has been a staple in Nairobi’s cultural calendar for over a decade, celebrated for its blend of live African music, fashion, and social ambience. It has hosted some of the continent’s biggest names — from Sauti Sol and Burna Boy to Sho Madjozi — and built a reputation as a high-end lifestyle brand.
But the recent backlash has exposed cracks in that reputation. The September edition, meant to cap off the festival’s return after a mid-year hiatus, has instead placed it under intense scrutiny.
Attendees alleged the issues went beyond minor logistical hiccups. Reports cited sound failure, inadequate amenities, crowd mismanagement, and a disorganised performance schedule. Some artists performed much later than advertised, while others reportedly skipped the stage entirely because of technical delays.