Thousands of fans who turned out to attend
what was to be reggae musicians Alpha Blondy and Tarrus Riley got a
rude shock after the artiste from Ivory Coast failed to turn up for the
show at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre Saturday night.
Many were injured after a section of the now impatient crowd started pelting the stage with bottles at 3.am.
Chants of “Haki Yetu! We want Tarrus!” rented the air with growing intensity.
Within a short time heavier missiles found their landing on the huge podium, some breaking the high voltage lighting that had been waiting to illuminate the star performers.
Confusion and a state of panic fast engulfed the hitherto serene and party mood.
“A young woman dressed in white flowing gown with red, yellow and red strips on her slim waist fell over as she tried to escape from the now furious arsenal coming from all directions.
Another was hit by a piece of bottle in the leg and was heard crying,” Now who brought me in this event?”
Hell broke loose and people ran helter skelter in all directions as some tried to take cover.
It then broke into a freebees fanfare as the openly agitated fans landed on beers, wine and food being sold in over a dozen food outlets.
“We have lost 100 cartons of canned beer and a couple of our banners,” said a lady in charge of a company that had won exclusive tender to supply the vent with drinks.
The police had a difficult time containing the situation and had to
apply force to disperse the now chaotic situation.
Within a short time, the grounds were looking like a war zone, with all manner of litter with furniture and barriers turned upside down.
On a quick count over 50 plastic chairs had been broken.
“Managing reggae gigs is one of the most challenging situations for us, but it is even more difficult when an artiste fails to turn up, “said a police officer.
A fan who is originally from Germany but works in Washington D.C expressed his disappointment, “I first bought Alpha’s music in Niger and I liked it so I saw this as great opportunity to see the man live and listen to him as I conclude my Safari in Kenya.”
It was a very sad day for Kenya’s showbiz as these kinds of eventualities will only sabotage an already struggling sector.
“Who will buy tickets in advance again, or even come to an international artiste’s concert?” wondered a group of young fans who said they will not even seek for refund from the organizers explaining there was no hope of recovering a dime.
Tickets had sold for Ksh. 2,500 for the ordinary section whilst a whopping 4,500 was charged for the VIP area.
Earlier, alternating DJs and MCs had for more than three hours cajoled the crowed not to worry and assured them of a gig of their lifetime.
“Jah people do not worry, rat’s people Alpha is on the way,” said the DJ.
While at it the audience continued cooling their thoughts with froth and neat spirits.
The atmosphere within the KICC grounds was fast suffocating with smoke from weed that was bellowing freely from Jah people waving Rasta color flags and banners.
“It is nice to smoke ganja and have protection,” said Kabaya Maturi referring to the apparent freedom to smoke the banned drug as police watched helplessly.
As he was this curtain raiser Empress Black Omolo, an artiste based in the Netherlands was receiving cheers form the crowed as she sang her album Love Your Life the hit Babylon System that explicitly called for the legalization of Marijuana.
Promoter Otieno Mak’Ochieng had earlier in the day refuted claims that the two star reggae artistes had declined to show up.
“Who has said that, we are ready for them and by 1.am the duo will be here from their hotel to perform,” he assured.
Well this did not come to pass the fears over alleged disagreement arising from payment issues came to haunt a truly promising night judging with the huge turnout.
Mr. Otieno’s phone was off all night after the chaos and was not reachable for comments.
Neither was it possible to reach the two reggae icons that were reportedly enjoying a sound sleep in a hotel in the outskirts of the city.
Strory adopted from Standard Group Entertainment
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