Tragedy at Nyayo Stadium: Karen Lojore’s Final Night
…..As Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Asake hits in fresh controversy in Kenya
On the evening of December 20, 2025, Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium pulsed with anticipation. Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Asake, joined by Gabzy, was set to deliver an electrifying show to thousands of Kenyan fans.
Tickets sold out fast, drawing a vibrant crowd from across the city, many clutching valid passes after saving for months.
Among them was 22-year-old Karen Lojore, a bright young woman in her mid-20s, full of life and dreams. Karen had her ticket, ready for a night of music and escape from her daily grind. As gates opened late amid heavy rain, frustration boiled over.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes outside: crowds chanting “Open the door! We paid for tickets!” Non-ticket holders surged forward, overwhelming understaffed security.
Viral videos captured the panic, fans pushing through barriers, some forcing gates ajar.
Security, outnumbered and unprepared, couldn’t contain the rush.
VIP holders like Karen got caught in the crush, trampled as bodies piled in the stampede.
Screams echoed as people fought for air amid the downpour-slicked frenzy.
Karen collapsed in the melee, her valid ticket still gripped tightly. Rushed to a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Her body went to City Mortuary, leaving a family shattered.
Her mother, @ami_brit on Instagram, poured out raw grief online: “Karen, why? What happened? You had that ticket. What happened to my child? I want justice!”
The post ignited outrage, amplifying calls for accountability from organizers who remained silent as of December 22.
This wasn’t Asake’s first brush with crowd tragedy. In 2022, a Brixton O2 Academy show in London turned deadly when ticketless fans breached doors, killing Rebecca Ikumelo and security guard Gaby Hutchinson. That incident led to cancellations and probes into poor planning.
Kenyan fans drew parallels, slamming Nyayo’s event for similar lapses: delayed entry, inadequate crowd control, and VIP encroachments.
Social media erupted with fury, hashtags like #JusticeForKaren trending as attendees shared footage of the horror.
A Mother’s Plea and Mounting Pressure By Monday, December 22, investigations loomed.
Nairobi authorities eyed charges for negligence, while fans boycotted future events.
Karen’s associates confirmed she was no gatecrasher, just a ticketed enthusiast lost to chaos.
Her mother’s viral cries humanized the loss: “Please bring back my child. Who is going to answer?” Organizers faced backlash for no statement, as Kenya’s music scene grappled with safety reforms.
Karen’s story indicates a grim toll: one life cut short, countless scarred. What began as celebration ended in mourning, a stark reminder that passion without preparation can prove fatal.
