Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a young woman during his concert in Nairobi, Kenya.
The tragic incident occurred on December 20, 2025, at the Nyayo National Stadium, where Asake was the headline act.
The victim, identified as Karen Lojore, believed to be in her mid-20s, reportedly died following a stampede linked to crowd congestion at the venue.
Reacting via his Instagram stories, the award-winning artiste described the incident as heartbreaking, saying the loss was painful and unacceptable.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore,” Asake said. “I am devastated by what happened and deeply saddened by this loss.”
He added that he was committed to understanding the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and ensuring accountability.
“I pledge to support and do my best to understand what went wrong. Those responsible should be held accountable,” the singer stated.
Asake, known for his high-energy performances, said the incident was difficult to comprehend, stressing that music has always been his means of spreading joy and unity.
“It breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss,” he said. “My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace. God bless Kenya.”
Event organisers, Tukutane Entertainment, also confirmed the fatality in a separate statement, describing the incident as devastating.
“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic loss,” the organisers said, adding that safety remained a top priority.
They disclosed that they were fully cooperating with emergency responders and relevant authorities as investigations continue.
“The safety and well-being of everyone who attends our events is something we take very seriously,” the statement read.
“Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will not speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
According to eyewitness accounts and reports, Lojore was allegedly trampled during chaotic scenes outside the stadium and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. Her body was later deposited at the City Mortuary.
Friends of the deceased said she had a valid ticket and sustained fatal injuries while attempting to enter the venue as the crowd situation spiralled out of control.
Her mother later took to Instagram to demand justice, sharing an emotional message.
“Karen, why? What happened? You had that ticket. What happened to my child?” she wrote. “Why her? I want justice for my child.”
A Citizen TV journalist, Immanuel Ndungu, who witnessed the incident, blamed the tragedy on poor crowd control rather than a sudden surge.
He explained that a large crowd gathered at the main entrance, where security operatives separated attendees into male and female lines, but the narrow access point and weak coordination created pressure.
Ndungu added that entry into the stadium was reportedly halted for about 30 minutes, heightening tension as more people arrived. He alleged that police intervention, including the use of force, further escalated the situation.
Efforts by stewards to admit small groups of attendees were also said to have triggered more pushing and panic.
The incident has renewed memories of a similar tragedy linked to an Asake concert in London in 2022, where a fan, Rebecca Ikumeleo, died and several others were injured.
