Afrobeats singer Ahmed Ololade, widely known as Asake, has reacted with deep sorrow to reports that a woman lost her life in a stampede outside the venue of his concert in Nairobi, Kenya.
The tragic incident was said to have occurred on December 20 at the Nyayo National Stadium, where the artiste was performing.
According to the BBC on Monday, Kenya’s National Police Service confirmed that a 20-year-old woman, identified as Karen Lojore, was crushed to death close to one of the stadium’s entry gates.
The BBC cited a police spokesperson who explained that a brief stampede broke out at the entrance during the concert.
“During a musical concert at Nyayo National Stadium, there was a brief stampede at the entrance gate.
“While the situation later calmed down and fans were able to access the stadium with the concert progressing, an unfortunate case of a 20-year-old woman who was pressed to death near the entry point was recorded.”
Responding to the incident, Asake described the development as heartbreaking in a message shared on his Instagram Story on Monday.
He wrote, “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.
“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.”
The concert, staged at the 18,000-capacity Nyayo National Stadium, was co-headlined by British-Nigerian singer Gabzy and formed part of Asake’s Africa tour announced earlier in the year.
This is not the first time the singer has been associated with a fatal crowd incident. In December 2022, two people died after a crowd crush at his concert at the Brixton Academy in London, an episode for which he had earlier expressed sympathy and condolences to the victims’ families.