A story shared by our sources about the late Karen Lojore, the 20-year-old student who died during the tragic stampede at Asake’s concert in Nairobi, has inspired this detailed report.
Her death, which shocked many young people across the country, continues to raise concerns about safety at major entertainment events.
Karen lost her life on a night that was supposed to bring joy. She had gone to Nyayo National Stadium to enjoy the concert after finishing her end-of-year exams at Daystar University.
According to accounts that informed this story, the trouble began when a heavy crowd gathered outside the stadium, waiting for the gates to open.
Poor coordination, slow access, and sudden rain created panic as fans started pushing towards the entrances.
In the rush, Karen was caught in the confusion. Witnesses who spoke to different platforms said she had a valid ticket and was simply trying to make her way inside.
She suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Her burial took place on December 31, attended by relatives, friends and fellow students who came together to honour her short but meaningful life.
Many described her as cheerful, hardworking and full of hope for the future.
During the funeral, Karen’s mother was too heartbroken to address the mourners.
Her tribute was read out on her behalf, painting a picture of a daughter she not only loved but also considered a close companion.
She said Karen had been excited after finishing her exams and looked forward to a new year filled with fresh opportunities.
The mother expressed deep pain over their final moments, wishing she had held her daughter longer that morning.
She described Karen as a child who carried light wherever she went and admitted that her passing had created a space no one could fill.
Asake, the artist whose concert turned chaotic, earlier shared a message of condolence after learning of Karen’s death.
He said he was devastated by the tragedy and urged that those who failed to ensure the crowd’s safety be held responsible.
Karen’s story has ignited conversations about event planning in Kenya, with many young people demanding stricter safety rules. Her family hopes that lessons will be learned so no other life is lost in a similar way.
Though her time was short, Karen’s memory now stands as a call for better protection of concertgoers and a reminder of how quickly joy can turn into heartbreak.
