Abel Mutua Proposes Genius Fix for Raha Fest Challenges
Image: Celebrated Kenyan screenwriter and actor, Abel MutuaActor and creative director Abel Mutua has weighed in on the chaos that marred the recently concluded Raha Fest, offering a practical solution to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Mutua emphasized the importance of investing in proper indoor arenas, stating, “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Proper indoor arenas will save us a lot of headaches.”
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He elaborated, “Indoor arenas are the future, especially with the rapid growth of the orange economy. They’re easier to secure, weatherproof, and economically viable. Kigali is a perfect example of how successful this model can be.”
Addressing the lack of such facilities in Kenya, Mutua lamented, “How can East Africa’s giant lack a 20,000-seater indoor arena? We’ve clearly dropped the ball. At this rate, we might need to gather like-minded people and build one ourselves.”
The two-day Raha Fest, held at Uhuru Gardens, started strong, with the first day featuring Bnxn (formerly Buju) drawing massive crowds. However, chaos erupted on the second day, headlined by Jamaican singer Shenseea, when some revelers without tickets forced their way into the venue.
The disruption, which prompted police to use tear gas, cut Shenseea’s performance short as she was escorted off stage. The singer later expressed her frustration on social media, saying, “Now Kenya, I’m a little mad at you.”
In response to the incident, Raha Fest organizers released a statement addressing the chaos and reflecting on their efforts to deliver world-class experiences comparable to those in South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria.
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While highlighting the successes of Raha Rave and the festival’s first day, they acknowledged the challenges faced on the final day and expressed disappointment over the growing entitlement among some attendees.
“Our security plan didn’t fail us. Our security support didn’t fail us. These unruly Kenyans failed us. This growing entitlement among a section of Kenyans failed us, and unfortunately, we are all worse off because of it,” they stated.
The organizers apologized to those whose experience was disrupted and expressed hope for change in the entertainment industry.
“We sincerely apologize to everyone whose Raha experience was ruined on the last day. We aimed to provide an excellent experience for you, your friends, and family, but some of us let ourselves down,” they concluded.
Looking ahead, they expressed optimism: “We hope 2025 will mark a turning point for Kenya’s entertainment industry. God bless the people and the Republic of Kenya.”
