Nigerian Afrobeats Star Mourns Tragic Death of Fan in Kenya Crush

Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake is grieving the loss of a fan who tragically died during a concert in Nairobi, Kenya. The fan, identified as 20-year-old Karen Lojore, lost her life amid crowd chaos at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Concert Tragedy in Nairobi

The incident occurred on Saturday when fans faced long queues at the stadium entrance, exacerbated by heavy rain. Many others were injured during the chaos as people struggled to enter the venue. Following this tragic event, family and friends of Ms. Lojore have demanded a thorough investigation and justice.

Response from Asake and Authorities

In an emotional statement shared on Instagram, Asake expressed his devastation over the event. He extended his condolences to Ms. Lojore’s family and emphasized the importance of accountability. “My heart goes out to the family, friends and loved ones of Karen Lojore,” he stated, noting that his music is meant to spread love and joy. “It breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss,” he added.

Kenyan police spokesman Michael Muchiri described the situation as “very unfortunate.” He acknowledged that crowd control at the venue was inadequate and committed to a full investigation. Such inquiries typically conclude within weeks, according to Muchiri.

Calls for Justice

• Family and friends seek thorough investigation.
• Social media expressions of sympathy from Kenyans.
• Concert organizers cooperating with authorities.

In a post aimed at both Asake and the concert organizers, a woman believed to be Ms. Lojore’s mother questioned the circumstances of her daughter’s death, pleading for justice. The concert’s promoters, Tukutane Entertainment, affirmed their commitment to uncovering the truth behind the incident.

The Bigger Picture

Immanuel Ndungu, a journalist from Citizen TV, highlighted issues related to crowd management at the event. This tragedy recalls a similar incident at another concert Asake headlined at London’s Brixton Academy in 2022, which resulted in fatalities and numerous injuries.

About Asake

Asake, born Ahmed Ololade, has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats artists since his debut in 2022 with the album “Mr. Money With the Vibe.” He has received recognition through nominations for prestigious awards, including the BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2023 Award and two Grammy nominations.