The much-anticipated Raha Fest New Year’s Eve event, headlined by Shenseea, ended on a sour note, leaving organizers questioning the future of the celebrated festival in Kenya.
From High Hopes to Heartbreak
What started as a vision to elevate Kenya’s festival scene to rival global entertainment hubs like South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria has been marred by chaos and frustration.
After a stellar debut year in 2024, featuring successful events with acts like Davido, King Promise, Rema, and Ruger, Raha Fest was poised to end the year with a bang. But the December 31 event became a nightmare.
Chaos at the Gates
The New Year’s Eve concert featuring Shenseea saw unruly crowds storm the gates, attacking security personnel and forcing their way into the venue.
This “occupying” behavior not only disrupted the event but also jeopardized the safety of paying attendees, staff, and artists.
A Culture of Entitlement
In a heartfelt statement, the organizers expressed deep disappointment over what they described as a growing culture of entitlement among some event attendees.
They stressed how such actions tarnish Kenya’s reputation as a global entertainment destination and pose serious risks to international artists, sponsors, and local fans.
A Plea for Accountability
Despite the challenges, the organizers thanked their partners, vendors, and staff for their tireless efforts and apologized to ticket-holders whose experience was affected by the chaos.
They called for a collective reflection within Kenya’s entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for accountability and respect to sustain a thriving festival culture.
Uncertain Future
Raha Fest organizers hinted that the December 31 event might mark the end of their journey in Kenya. They posed critical questions: What more can organizers do to ensure safety and order? How can the industry tackle the entitlement culture among attendees?
As 2025 begins, the future of Raha Fest in Kenya hangs in the balance, a sobering reminder of the challenges facing large-scale events in the country.
Shenseea and Ali Kiba took to X to air their frustrations and posted:
