A tragic stampede has claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman, Karen Lojore, during a concert by Nigerian singer Asake in Nairobi, Kenya.
The incident occurred on Saturday, December 20, at the Nyayo National Stadium, where thousands had gathered for the highly anticipated show. Reports indicate that the stampede was triggered by overcrowding at the venue.
On-site paramedics were said to have carried out emergency resuscitation efforts before Karen was rushed to Nairobi West Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Confirming the development, show organisers Tukutane Entertainment expressed deep sorrow in a statement shared via Instagram.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a tragic incident occurred during our December 20th concert, resulting in the loss of life. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by this devastating loss. We’re cooperating fully with emergency services and the appropriate authorities as they work to understand what happened.”
Asake also reacted publicly, describing the incident as heartbreaking and pledging to support the victim’s family while calling for accountability.
“I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec 20th in Nairobi. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojoré, and I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable. Music has always been my way of sharing love and joy, and it breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss. My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace. God Bless Kenya.”
This is not the first time a fatal stampede has been linked to an Asake concert.
In December 2022, Rebecca Ikumelo, a 33-year-old Nigerian mother of two, lost her life after sustaining severe injuries during a stampede at Asake’s show at the Brixton O2 Academy in London.
That incident sparked global conversations around crowd control, concert safety, and the responsibilities of event organisers at large-scale music shows.
The latest tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about overcrowding, venue capacity management, and emergency response at major music events, particularly as Afrobeats concerts continue to draw massive international crowds.
As investigations continue in Nairobi, fans and industry observers are calling for stricter enforcement of safety standards to prevent further loss of life.