The organizers of Raha Fest, one of Kenya’s most prominent cultural and entertainment festivals, have issued a statement addressing concerns over recent events that marred the highly-anticipated festival.

While Raha Fest has been celebrated for its top-tier entertainment and experiences, the organizers admit that the December 31, 2024, event might be their last in Kenya due to challenges beyond their control.

Beginning of Statement

Raha December launched in 2024 with a vision of providing Kenyans with holiday experiences rivaling those of celebrated festivals in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and other entertainment hubs.

The inaugural Raha Fest in March 2024, featuring Davido and King Promise as headliners, was a resounding success, setting a benchmark for festivals in Kenya.

The brand later organized other successful events, including Raha Rave, headlined by Rema and RUGER, and the 4-day Raha December program.

Each of these events was meticulously planned, with a commitment to high standards despite the immense logistical challenges of organizing festivals in Kenya.

By the time Raha December came around, the lineup boasted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including BNXN (formerly known as Buju) and Shenseea, who headlined the December 31st event.

The intention was clear: to close the year on a high note and solidify Kenya's place on the global entertainment map.

However, the December 31st event witnessed a disturbing trend that has left the organizers questioning their future in Kenya.

A growing number of attendees engaged in disruptive and entitled behavior, including forceful entry into the event without tickets.

This “occupying” trend, as it has been referred to, jeopardizes the safety and experience of paying attendees, as well as the welfare of the artists, security personnel, and organizers.

In their statement, the Raha December team expressed regret and frustration over this retrogressive behavior.

They stressed that the dangers posed by such entitlement, including creating unsafe environments for international artists and sponsors and tarnishing Kenya's reputation as a reliable host for major events.

Chaos on December 31st

The climax of the unrest occurred during the New Year's Eve celebration headlined by Shenseea.

Groups of individuals stormed the gates, attacking security personnel and forcing their way into the venue.

This altercation compromised the safety and enjoyment of paying guests and disrupted the event.

The organizers stated that, despite the valiant efforts of their security team, they could not contain the aggressive actions of the intruders.

The organizers pose critical questions: What more can event organizers do to ensure safety and order? How can the industry address the growing entitlement culture among event attendees?

Despite the challenges, the Raha December team expressed gratitude to their partners, vendors, artists, and security personnel for their dedication and hard work.

They also apologized to attendees whose experience was affected by the chaos on December 31st.

The Future of Raha Fest in Kenya

As they look ahead to 2025, the organizers called for collective reflection within the Kenyan entertainment industry.

They expressed hope for a greater sense of accountability and course correction, stating that a sustainable entertainment culture requires mutual respect and adherence to security protocols.

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