The Visionary Behind Summer Tide: Meet Kasey Omwanda, Shaping Kenya's Festival Future

Kasey Omwanda is the CEO and Founder of Air Beatit LLC and Air Global Entertainment, the parent company behind some of East Africa’s most exciting music events—Summer Tide Festival, Beach Please Festival, Sounds from Africa Festival, and Pleasure Africa. He also runs a charitable initiative under the name Foundation.

The maverick entrepreneur recently sat down for an interview with the Mic Cheque Podcast, where he opened up about his journey from an unknown dreamer to a heavyweight in Kenya’s events industry.

Kasey revealed that he dropped out of school after Year 11 in 2018 to fully commit to his passion for the music business—a decision driven by a deep-seated love for events and a desire to escape the trauma he associated with his schooling years in Kenya.

A DJ since the age of 13, he has often spoken about the trauma he experienced during his school years in Kenya—something that fuelled his decision to carve his own path.

The Journey of Summer Tide Festival

The idea for Summer Tide Festival was born from Kasey's personal summer getaways to Diani in July, which started as house parties and evolved into a weekend-long music event. The inaugural festival in 2019 attracted 1,200 attendees.

2021, held during COVID, saw a drop in turnout to 800, and Kasey battled depression during this time.

2022 marked a turning point with 1,800 attendees despite a betrayal by former partners that left him in debt. Rather than quit, Kasey doubled down.

In 2023, the event expanded from a one-day to a two-day festival, shifting from an Instagram-oriented niche to a broader, student-focused audience.

He also brought in partner Collins, who bought part of the company and helped re-strategise.

The 2024 edition drew 6,000 people—5,900 of them from Nairobi—cementing it as a marquee event on Kenya’s festival calendar.

Summer Tide is now announced 7–8 months in advance to allow for international planning, drawing inspiration from global giants like Tomorrowland, Rolling Loud, and Ultra Music Festival.

Operations and Local Impact

The most recent edition introduced two stages to improve crowd management. The event has cultivated a week-long culture in Diani, driven by high-energy after-parties and collaboration with local businesses.

Supermarkets, barbers, and tuk-tuk drivers benefit economically, with transport prices often surging due to increased demand.

Despite online claims of it being an “under 25” festival, Kasey notes that older crowds have increasingly turned up in recent years.

Long-Term Vision and Business Insights

Kasey aims to transform Summer Tide into a globally competitive festival like Wireless or Afro Nation, positioning Kenya as a go-to African festival destination.

He hopes to attract major international acts by showcasing consistently strong attendance numbers.

Although Air Beatit was founded in 2013, the company only became profitable in 2023—Kasey says most income was reinvested until then.

His Philosophy and the State of the Industry

Personal Development: Kasey quit therapy once he felt he had addressed key issues, but he’s now considering returning due to growing responsibilities.

Goal-Setting: He follows “quarter-solutions”—setting and tracking goals every three months. His Mac screensaver displays them as a daily motivator.

Community First: For Kasey, a loyal community is more valuable than sponsorships. “Money follows community,” he says.

Industry Challenges: Large-scale shows in Kenya are often unprofitable due to high costs and limited sponsorship.

Local brands offer low-value, exclusivity-heavy deals that stifle creativity.

Bar management at festivals is logistically intense and susceptible to theft—Kasey now outsources it.

Nairobi shows are less profitable than out-of-town events, due to competition. Artist poaching by other promoters remains a common frustration.

Predictions and New Ventures

He believes OD will be Kenya’s next big music export, thanks to their community-first mindset and artist-owned music production.

Kasey also recognises a growing appetite for alternative social experiences like sober events and daytime activities, as traditional clubbing loses its appeal.