The Walker Town Concert that was the highlight of this past weekend was plagued by multiple challenges that threatened to ruin the festivities.
Bringing international celebrities including Nigeria’s Rema, UK’s ArrDee and the iconic American artiste Lauryn Hill into the country, it was a promising fete that was bound to be one for the books.
But from security concerns on day one, to technical problems and cancelled performances on day two, the event was generally disappointing for attendees and artistes alike.
“There was a major security violation when hundreds of youth forced entry into the Laureate Gardens in Kasarani where the show was underway,” we reported.
“Videos circulating on social media show that trespassers overwhelmed security personnel and marched in, some even lifting barriers that had been set up.”
Sources note that the security breach happened at about 9pm, and that the situation was so volatile that at least one or two people may have been injured as the youth ran into the venue.
Day two of the show featured an exciting lineup that included the celebrated Kenyan rapper Nyashinski, and the headliner, Lauryn Hill.
The set up for the evening was meticulously done, and attendees had multiple interesting photo booths to capture their memories, as well as an art display on which they were encouraged to sign on for remembrance.
However, DJ sets dominated the evening, and there were technical hitches that interrupted the music several times.
There was no word on when Nyashinski would take to the stage for a better part of the evening, but as the hours rolled by, it became clear that he would not be performing.
East African Breweries Limited (EABL) issued a statement Monday morning apologising to consumers, artistes, suppliers and stakeholders, and offered to issue a full refund on tickets for concertgoers.
“Despite our best efforts, unforeseen technical challenges—particularly due to the rain and other conditions—affected our sound system, causing significant delays,” the statement reads in part.
The legendary Lauryn Hill started her performance as the clock approached 3am, and, unfortunately, after many attendees had already begun to leave.
Organisers blame the technical hitches for Lauryn’s late performance.
“This resulted in the delayed performance by Miss Lauryn Hill and, regrettably, the cancellation of our brand partner Nyashinski’s performance, which deeply impacted the overall festival experience.”
EABL’s statement adds: “We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to everyone who was affected. We understand the importance of meeting the high expectations we consistently strive to deliver.”
“In light of these circumstances, we will be issuing a 100 per cent refund to all ticket holders for Day Two of the WalkerTown 2024 Festival within the next two weeks. This is a reflection of our commitment to fairness and respect for the trust you placed in us.”
The Walker Town event is a concert intended to bring Johnnie Walker’s heritage to life through bold experiences and cultural moments.
“The event series integrates vibrant cultural elements, featuring live entertainment and collaborations that embody the brand’s progressive spirit.”
