Kenyan Youth 'Occupy' Nairobi Concerts as Social Media Trend Disrupts Events

On New Year's Eve 2025, Nairobi celebrated with an impressive fireworks display, while chaos erupted outside Uhuru Gardens as groups of young Kenyans attempted to force their way into a concert.

This trend, referred to as "occupying" on social media, has raised significant concerns among event organizers, artists, and paying attendees as it challenges the industry's ability to provide secure and enjoyable experiences.
Interviews conducted by Nation.Africa provides insights from some of the individuals participating in the occupation.

Peter, a 21-year-old from Kayole, likened their actions to the youth-led protests that stormed Parliament on June 25, opposing President William Ruto's tax plan. He and his peers utilized a combination of online and offline coordination, leveraging platforms such as WhatsApp, TikTok, X, and Instagram to disseminate their plans.

Motivated by financial constraints, Peter says, “We didn’t have money and wanted to have a good time in the new year. So we planned with a few of my friends to go to the concert and find our way inside. We also saw online people calling for us to occupy the event."

Nation.Africa has discovered numerous social media messages urging attendees to "occupy" various concerts. The growth of Kenya's event sector in 2024—featuring an influx of local and international artists—has made these incidents particularly alarming, as they threaten to undermine the industry's progress.

Dan Aceda, a singer-songwriter, has commented on the implications of such disruptions, stating "At the end of the day, it is the organizers that bear the responsibility. The reason certain groups will mobilize to come to the event is because they know they can overpower the security, which ultimately is the organizers' prerogative,"

High-profile events like Raha Fest and Walkertown experienced substantial interruptions due to "occupying," resulting in frustrations among those who had paid for attendance. Concertgoer Wangui shared her experience at Raha Fest: "I arrived and found people trying to occupy the event, and it became impossible for me to enter. I feel bad because how come I’m not able to enjoy value for my money because people decided to occupy?"

Organizers of events such as Raha Fest condemned the actions of the "occupiers," asserting that although their security plans were robust, they were overwhelmed by the large crowds. Some of those involved in the occupations argue that prohibitive ticket prices alienate them from enjoying live entertainment, with Joseph from Langata stating, "The prices are too expensive. In other countries, the same artists' concerts are cheaper."

The protests against the Finance Bill in June appear to have influenced this trend, as noted by Dr Joyce Nyairo, a cultural analyst. She observes a correlation between Gen Z's political mobilization and their actions during concerts, explaining, "In 2024, there was a spark and a moment of realization that the youth can organize online behind their keyboards and take their actions offline as well. This is yet another example of that."