A petition seeking Sh 100 million in damages has been filed against Tukutane Entertainment, the organisers of the ill‑fated ‘Asake Live in Nairobi’ concert, following the tragic death of 20‑year‑old Karen Lojore during a deadly stampede at Nyayo National Stadium in December 2025.
On 20 December 2025, thousands of excited music fans gathered at Nyayo National Stadium for what was touted as one of the biggest Afrobeat concerts of the year, headlined by Nigerian star Asake alongside British‑Nigerian artist Gabzy.
However, the event descended into chaos before it properly began. Poor crowd control, heavy rains, and long delays at entry points combined to create dangerous conditions outside the stadium gates.
It was amid this turmoil that Karen Lojore, a university student and legitimate ticket holder, was caught in a stampede and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes at the gates as frustrated ticket holders struggled to enter, highlighting glaring organisational lapses that exacerbated the crush.
Many fans noted a single narrow entrance and an apparent lack of effective crowd management, which transformed a night of celebration into a scene of panic and tragedy.
In response to the tragedy, a petition seeking Sh 100 million in compensation and accountability has been lodged against Tukutane Entertainment.
The petition alleges gross negligence and failure to uphold essential safety standards, which directly resulted in a loss of life.
It argues that organisers owed a duty of care to ticket holders — an obligation that was breached when concertgoers were placed in harm’s way without proper crowd control, emergency planning, and security measures.
Lawyer Willis Otieno, on behalf of the petitioners, is pushing for both financial redress for the Lojore family and a broader legal precedent to compel entertainment companies to adopt stricter safety protocols.
The complaint has also been reported to the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), which has the mandate to investigate unfair practices and unsafe services offered to consumers.
Asake released a statement expressing devastation and extending sympathy to the bereaved family, while acknowledging the need for a full investigation.
He urged that “those responsible should be held accountable,” reflecting the seriousness with which artists and fans are approaching the incident.
Meanwhile, Gabzy, who co‑headlined the show, revealed that the experience has profoundly impacted him, suggesting he may reconsider performing in Kenya in the future unless clear answers and improvements are realised.
Authorities, including the National Police Service, have confirmed investigations into the stampede and the circumstances that led to Lojore’s death.
Meanwhile, the case before the CAK promises to scrutinise organisational failures from a consumer protection perspective, evaluating whether Tukutane failed to deliver the services it sold, a safe and secure entertainment experience.
