Kenyan Woman Dies in Stampede at Asake Concert in Nairobi
A Kenyan woman, identified as Karen Lojore, tragically died during Nigerian singer Asake’s concert at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium on Saturday. The incident occurred when a stampede broke out at the venue, which was attended by thousands of fans. Kenyan news outlet Ghetto Radio reported that poor ticket management caused congestion at the stadium entrances, contributing to the chaos. In response, Kenya’s Kodong Clan withdrew from the event, citing disrespect and mistreatment by the organisers. Friends and acquaintances of Lojore took to social media to mourn her death, highlighting that she had a valid ticket, which should have ensured her safety. One user wrote, “One of my friends just lost her friend at the Asake concert; she was in the stampede and unfortunately lost her life, yet she had a ticket. My heart breaks for her. Aki, may she rest in peace.” Poet and activist Willie Oeba also confirmed the incident, expressing sadness over the circumstances surrounding her death. “Karen passed on last night as a result of the stampede at the Nyayo Stadium Asake concert. Very sad to die in such a manner at such a time. Rest in peace, young soul,” he said. Eyewitnesses reported that slow movement by stewards at the entry points caused large crowds to form outside the stadium. Police efforts to restore order reportedly escalated the situation, leading to panic, running, and cries of “I can’t breathe” from the crowd. This tragedy recalls a similar incident at Asake’s London concert on December 15, 2022, at the O2 Brixton Academy, where a crowd crush claimed two lives and left several others critically injured.