The recent chaos at Raha Fest has sparked a conversation about the future of entertainment events in Kenya. Actor and creative director Abel Mutua has weighed in on the disruptions, offering a practical solution to prevent such incidents in the future.
The two-day Raha Fest, held at Uhuru Gardens, started off strong with massive crowds, particularly on the first day, which saw Nigerian artist Bnxn (formerly Buju) perform. However, the second day, headlined by Jamaican singer Shenseea, took a turn for the worse when ticketless revelers forced their way into the venue. The resulting commotion led to the use of tear gas by police and the abrupt end to Shenseea’s performance, leaving the singer frustrated and disappointed in Kenya’s event organization.
In response to the chaos, the Raha Fest organizers issued a statement, addressing the disruption. While they expressed disappointment over the unruly behavior of a section of attendees, they clarified that their security plan did not fail. They attributed the failure to the growing sense of entitlement among some Kenyans, a sentiment that resonated with Mutua’s call for change.
Mutua, who has long advocated for improved event facilities, highlighted the importance of investing in proper indoor arenas to avoid the challenges faced at Raha Fest. “Indoor arenas are the future,” he stated, emphasizing their security, weatherproof qualities, and economic benefits. Drawing inspiration from Kigali’s success with such venues, Mutua questioned why Kenya, despite being East Africa’s economic powerhouse, lacks a 20,000-seater indoor arena. His frustration was clear: “We’ve clearly dropped the ball,” he said, suggesting that like-minded individuals might need to step in to help build such a facility.
Looking forward, the Raha Fest organizers expressed their hope for positive changes in Kenya’s entertainment industry by 2025. They remain optimistic that the country’s entertainment scene can learn from past challenges and improve for future events.
Mutua’s solution could be the key to creating safer, more successful events for Kenya’s rapidly growing entertainment industry.
