Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, widely known as Asake, has conveyed profound sorrow following the tragic death of a fan during his concert at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on December 20. The victim, identified as 20-year-old Karen Lojore, reportedly collapsed amidst a stampede. This chaotic situation was brought on by severe overcrowding and significant delays at the stadium gates, leading to a critical lack of crowd control.

Paramedics on-site made immediate attempts at emergency resuscitation before rushing Ms. Lojore to Nairobi West Hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead. Her body was subsequently moved to the City Mortuary as investigations commenced into the incident. Asake released a statement on social media, expressing his devastation: "I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec 20th in Nairobi. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore, and I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable."

Eyewitnesses at the venue recounted a scene of immense chaos outside the stadium. They described long queues, narrow entry points, and the involvement of police as factors that exacerbated panic and shoving among concert-goers. Several individuals were heard shouting "I can't breathe" as the crowd surged forward, highlighting the severe pressure and lack of space. Karen's grieving mother publicly expressed her heartbreak and demanded answers, stating, "Karen why? You had that ticket. What happened to my child? Who is going to answer my questions? I want justice for my child."

Tukutane Entertainment, the organizers of the concert, acknowledged the incident in an official statement. They confirmed their full cooperation with emergency services and relevant authorities to ascertain the precise cause of the tragedy. They also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the grieving family while investigations are actively underway. Asake, who had previously experienced a similar crowd crush incident at a London concert in 2022, reiterated his sentiment: "Music has always been my way of sharing love and joy, and it breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss. My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace. God bless Kenya."

This unfortunate event has reignited significant concerns regarding crowd control and overall event safety at large-scale concerts held in Nairobi. Critical questions are now being raised concerning gate management protocols, the adequacy of barrier arrangements, and the preparedness of emergency services for such massive gatherings, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety measures.