The much-anticipated Raha Fest, headlined by Jamaican dancehall queen Shenseea and Tanzanian music legend Alikiba, promised a sensational New Year's Eve extravaganza.
The event, held at Nairobi's Uhuru Gardens, was set to be a memorable fusion of music, culture, and celebration.
However, the night took a chaotic turn, marked by crowd control issues, teargas disruptions, and low turnout.
The December 31st Concert kicked off with a set of DJs playing hits from different genres to hypnotically hype up the crowd.
Later several Kenyan acts, Lil Maina, Fathermoh, and Ndovu Kuu delivered an epic performance.
Alikiba kicked off the New Year’s countdown with a mesmerizing performance that showcased his signature Swahili R&B and bongo flava hits.
As the clock struck midnight, his act was complemented by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the Nairobi skyline. The crowd briefly erupted in cheer, marking what seemed to be the perfect start to 2025.
However, the festive mood was short-lived. Moments into Alikiba’s performance, a commotion outside the venue escalated as ticketless fans attempted to force their way into the concert through the VIP section.
This prompted police intervention, with teargas canisters fired to disperse the unruly crowd. The artist was compelled to cut his set abruptly, leaving fans both disappointed and concerned.
Despite the setbacks, Alikiba’s return to the stage after the initial teargas incident provided a brief moment of redemption.
His resilience and dedication to performing for his fans were commendable, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
Later, Alikiba used his socials to share his experience at the Raha Fest concert.
“Experienced teargas??? for first time in my life, but the show must go on! #RAHAFest - Hapa Amani Tu,” Alikiba shared.
Inside the venue, the situation wasn’t any calmer. Stampedes broke out as panicked revelers scrambled for safety from the teargas.
The VIP section, often viewed as a haven of exclusivity, became a focal point of chaos, with fans jostling for space and security visibly overwhelmed.
The regular section, too, bore the brunt of the disruptions, with several attendees sustaining minor injuries in the commotion.
By the time Shenseea took the stage at 2 a.m., the air was heavy with both anticipation and uncertainty.
The "Lighter" hitmaker began her set with electrifying energy, sending waves of excitement through the crowd.
Yet, her performance lasted a mere seven minutes before another teargas incident forced her to exit the stage abruptly. She was actually whisked away by her security detail.
Taking to Twitter Shenseea said she is disappointed by what happened at Raha Fest; “Now, KENYA ????? i'm a lil mad at y'all ngl!,”.
Fans were left stranded and disappointed after Shenseea was whisked away - many trying to understand what had just happened.
The chaotic scenes outside the venue mirrored the challenges within. Large groups of fans who hadn’t secured tickets overwhelmed security personnel, determined to experience the highly-publicized event.
The heavy-handed response by law enforcement, while aimed at restoring order, further exacerbated the situation, creating an atmosphere of fear and frustration.
The aftermath of the event has sparked conversations about event planning, security protocols, and the measures needed to ensure safety during large-scale concerts.
CNN international correspondent Victoria Rubadiri who was at the venue covering the concert expressed her disappointment in the events that happened at Raha Fest.
“Tear gas certainly wasn’t one of the scents of choice as I kicked off 2025. Sure hope this isn’t a sign of what’s to come ? What started as normal coverage of the New Year festivities, quickly turned into some pretty chaotic scenes #RahaFest,” Victoria Rubadiri shared.
Many attendees expressed their disappointment online, citing the poorly managed crowd control as a significant letdown for what was supposed to be a premier event.
In comparison to previous Raha Fest editions, this year’s concert struggled to meet expectations. The turnout was notably lower, a stark contrast to the packed audiences seen in March 2024 where Davido, Iyanya, Raybanny, and Ya Levis were the headliners of the concert.
Tickets for the event were going for Sh6,000 regular, and Sh30,000 VVIP (Two-day pass).
Raha Fest 2024/25 will likely go down as one of Nairobi’s most dramatic New Year’s Eve events.
While it offered glimpses of brilliance through its star-studded lineup, the chaos that unfolded overshadowed the music, leaving attendees with mixed emotions as they ushered in the new year.
For event organizers, the night served as a stark reminder of the importance of meticulous planning and robust security measures to ensure a seamless experience for fans and performers alike.
Successful Editions
Despite the chaos witnessed at the Raha Fest from December 2024 into 2025, there other series of events leading to the grand finale of the festival were a success.
Ya Levis headlined Raha Rave at Mass House and it was epic. On December 30th, Nigeria Victony, Buju and Marioo also delivered electrifying performances ta the first day of Raha Fest.
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