What was meant to be a night of music and celebration in Nairobi ended in tragedy after chaos erupted at the Gabzy x Asake concert on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
The event descended into devastation after hundreds of fans reportedly forced their way into the venue, triggering a deadly stampede.
Viral videos circulating on social media show crowds packed outside the venue, chanting, “Open the door … yaani tukona tickets tume lipia,” before panic set in as people surged forward.
Moments later, terrified screams filled the air as the crowd pushed its way inside.
Amid the confusion, a woman identified as Karen Lojore, said to be in her mid-20s, allegedly sustained fatal injuries. Close associates said Karen had a valid ticket and was caught in the surge while attempting to enter the venue.
Eyewitnesses claim security was overwhelmed and allowed non-ticket holders to gain unrestricted access, with some reportedly making their way into the VIP section.
Several attendees criticised the event’s organisation, describing it as poorly managed and chaotic, leaving many VIP ticket holders frustrated and disappointed.
By the time of publication, the organisers had not issued an official statement confirming the death or explaining how the situation spiralled out of control, as concertgoers continued to decry what they described as major lapses in crowd control.
The Nairobi tragedy mirrors a similar incident linked to an Asake concert in December 2022 at London’s O2 Academy in Brixton. That night, what should have been one of three sold-out shows by the Nigerian Afrobeats star turned fatal after large crowds, including many without tickets, overwhelmed the venue’s entrances.
Fans later described scenes of confusion and fear as pressure built outside narrow entry points. According to The Guardian, many people entered without proper ticket checks, leaving legitimate ticket holders stranded outside in dangerously packed conditions. One attendee recalled a sudden surge that left people “suffocated” and “hemmed in,” with little visible security presence.
As the situation worsened, police were called in, and the concert was halted shortly after it began. A member of Asake’s team reportedly told the crowd that the doors had been “breached” by thousands, and the show was cancelled for safety reasons.
The Brixton incident claimed the lives of Rebecca Ikumelo, a 33-year-old mother of two, and Gaby Hutchinson, a 23-year-old security guard, while another woman was left critically injured.
Witnesses spoke of people pleading for help and struggling to breathe as pressure mounted in the foyer and surrounding alleyways.