Fan Dies in Crowd Crush at Asake Concert in Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya — Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake expressed devastation on Monday after a 20-year-old fan died in a crowd crush outside Nyayo National Stadium during his concert on December 20. The incident, which occurred amid long entry lines exacerbated by heavy rain, also left several other attendees injured.
Karen Lojore succumbed to injuries from the crush while waiting to enter the 18,000-capacity venue, according to Kenyan police and local reports. Authorities described the event as a stampede near an entry point, with crowds surging due to delays in access. Kenyan police spokesman Michael Muchiri told reporters the situation was "very unfortunate" and "serious," but officers managed to contain it and prevent further casualties. He noted that crowd control at the venue appeared inadequate and said investigations in the coming weeks would identify the causes and recommend preventive measures.
Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, shared his response on Instagram Stories, confirming Lojore's identity and pledging support for her family. "I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec. 20th in Nairobi," he wrote. "My heart goes out to the...