Tear Gas and Tension: Shenseea's New Year's Eve Concert in Kenya Ends Abruptly

Jamaican dancehall sensation Shenseea was abruptly ushered off stage during her highly anticipated performance at Kenya’s Raha Fest on December 31, 2024. The concert, held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, descended into chaos after unruly crowd behaviour disrupted the event, cutting her performance short after just two songs. Security concerns prompted her team to escort her to safety, leaving fans disappointed and the night’s celebrations overshadowed by disorder.

The incident occurred when several attendees reportedly breached the venue without tickets, leading to overcrowding and escalating tensions. Security personnel attempted to regain control by deploying tear gas, but the situation only worsened, forcing the “Hit and Run” artiste to leave the stage prematurely. The chaos was a stark contrast to the excitement surrounding Shenseea’s return to Kenya after her August 2023 show was cancelled. Fans had eagerly awaited this performance, which was intended to cap off the year’s festivities with a bang.

Visibly disappointed, Shenseea later took to social media to address the incident. “Now, Kenya, I’m a lil mad at y’all ngl!” she wrote, expressing her frustration over the night’s turn of events. Her reaction sparked mixed responses from fans, with some empathizing with her disappointment and others criticizing the event’s organization.

Now, KENYA ????? i’m a lil mad at y’all ngl!

— Shenseea (@SHENYENG) January 1, 2025

“Accept our Shenseea apologies,” wrote one fan, while another quipped, “How do they teargas a baddie?” Others pointed to a broader issue with crowd management in Kenya, with one user remarking, “Karibu Kenya… Tukona tabia zetu tu” (“Welcome to Kenya… We have our ways”).

As of now, Raha Fest’s organizers have not issued a formal statement addressing the chaos or Shenseea’s curtailed performance. The incident has raised questions about security measures and crowd control at large-scale events in Kenya. While Shenseea’s fans continue to express their disappointment, many hope for a better-organized return in the future to give the dancehall star the stage she deserves.