Kenyan musician Bien-Aime Baraza has revealed the massive financial investment behind the safety of his fans. Speaking in a recent podcast appearance, the singer explained that security is the top priority for his yearly event, Sol Fest. He shared details on the costs and the strict ratios used to prevent crime at the venue.
The Nine Million Shilling Bill
Large-scale concerts in Nairobi often face challenges with phone snatching and petty theft. However, Bien-Aime stated that his team takes an uncompromising approach to these risks. He revealed that the security budget for the most recent Sol Fest reached a significant milestone.
"Do you know how much money I spend on security at Sol Fest? Last year it was Ksh 9 million. There are layers of security at Sol Fest," the singer said.
Layers of Protection
The high cost is driven by the sheer number of personnel on the ground. According to the discussion, the event employs a strategy where there is one security guard for every twenty attendees. This high density of security makes it nearly impossible for opportunistic thieves to operate within the crowd.
Bien-Aime described the setup as a multi-tiered system.
“Before you arrive at the entrance, you would have passed through different security units. I do special facilitation to a point you won’t even succeed in snatching someone’s phone inside there,” he added.
The Strategy Behind the Safety
The singer credited several teams for the success of the operation. Their goal is to ensure that the security "can never go down" during the festival.
For the organisers, the priority is not necessarily a high profit margin. Bien-Aime explained that the team is willing to sacrifice profits to maintain the quality of the fan experience. He believes that protecting the brand's reputation is a more valuable long-term asset than immediate financial gain.
A Staple of the Music Scene
Sol Fest has become a cornerstone of the Kenyan entertainment calendar. It is organised by Sol Generation, the label founded by the award-winning band Sauti Sol.
The festival attracts thousands of local and international fans. The 2023 edition was particularly notable as it was part of Sauti Sol’s "Farewell Tour" before the group began an indefinite hiatus.
