Kenya is mourning the death of 20-year-old Karen Lojore, who was killed during a crowd crush at Asake’s concert at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on 20 December 2025. The stampede reportedly began when fans without tickets attempted to force entry into the venue. Her family is demanding justice as police and organisers investigate the incident, reigniting debates about safety and crowd control at major music events.

A cloud of grief has settled over Kenya following the death of a young woman who was killed during a music concert headlined by Nigerian star Asake in Nairobi. The victim, Karen Lojore, aged 20, died on Saturday night, 20 December 2025, after a crowd surge turned deadly at Nyayo National Stadium. The incident happened as thousands of fans gathered for the highly anticipated show, which also featured British-Nigerian singer Gabzy. Nyayo National Stadium, located in the heart of Kenya’s capital, is a well-known venue that hosts major sporting fixtures, concerts and national events. With a capacity of about 18,000 people, it is one of the country’s most frequently used public arenas.

How the Situation Escalated

Accounts from concertgoers and eyewitnesses suggest that disorder began outside the stadium gates when a large number of people attempted to enter at the same time. Some individuals reportedly did not have tickets but still tried to force their way into the venue. As security personnel tried to block unauthorised entry, pushing and panic broke out. The pressure from the growing crowd soon overwhelmed the security barriers, causing people to rush towards the entrances.

In the chaos that followed, a crush occurred near one of the access points. Karen Lojore, who was said to be in possession of a valid ticket, was caught in the surge. She was fatally injured after being crushed during the stampede. Kenyan police confirmed the incident, stating that although the situation was eventually brought under control and the concert went on as planned, one life had already been lost.

Family Demands Answers

‍

News of Karen’s death has sparked widespread sorrow and anger, with many Kenyans questioning safety arrangements at large entertainment events. Her mother has taken to social media to demand accountability from those involved in organising the concert. In an emotional message addressed to the event organisers, Asake and co-performer Gabzy, she questioned how her daughter could die while simply attending a music show and called for justice. Event organisers Tukutane have acknowledged the incident and said they are cooperating with authorities as investigations continue. They are yet to issue a detailed public statement.

Safety Concerns Resurface

The tragedy has drawn attention to recurring concerns around crowd control at major concerts. Asake’s shows have previously been linked to overcrowding incidents, most notably in 2022 at Brixton O2 Academy in London, where two people were killed and several people were hospitalised. Gaby Hutchinson, 23, from Kent was a security contractor working that night when she was killed. Gaby's sisters, Nina and Kelsey Hutchinson, say they don't believe Asake has done as much as he could to give them answers. Mother-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Stratford, east London, also died in the crush. Rebecca's parents, Yetunde Olodo and Anthony Ikumelo, said the musician had not reached out to them either.

About Asake

Asake, born Ahmed Ololade, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent modern music acts. Raised in Lagos, he rose to fame in 2020 and has since become a global Afrobeats figure, known for his energetic performances and fusion of Afrobeats, Amapiano and street-inspired sounds. Signed to YBNL, the label founded by rapper Olamide, Asake has released three albums and achieved multiple international milestones ,including Grammy nominations and record-breaking chart success. Despite his achievements, the repeated safety concerns surrounding some of his concerts have continued to attract scrutiny.