Dave Chappelle’s show in Nairobi sold out within hours

The internet is buzzing with excitement over Dave Chappelle’s upcoming show at the Louis Leakey Auditorium on May 29. Organized by Punchline Comedy Club, the 300-seat event sold out within two hours of the poster going up.

A source told Nairobi News: “The small and intimate venue was a condition set by Dave. He even wanted it to be for a smaller audience of 100. So even 300 was a push.”

Two Kenyan comedians, Lu Savali and Ciru Mwangi, will open for the Emmy Award-winning American star. Ciru Mwangi shared her excitement on social media, writing: “I will be one of two opening acts for Dave Chappelle. Even in my wildest dreams, I had not seen this.”

Lu Savali added: “As a comic, this isn’t even in your wildest dreams. But this Wednesday, I’m opening for @davechappelle in Nairobi, Kenya. Believe the hype.”

Organizers have noted that the event will be “phone-free,” similar to Dave’s show in Abu Dhabi on May 23, organized by Live Nation. In Abu Dhabi, Chappelle performed at the Etihad Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Ticket regulations required all guests to have a valid ticket and be over the age of 16. However, guests aged between 16 and 21 had to be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over. No bags larger than 30x30x15cm were allowed, and no professional cameras, audio, or video recorders were permitted inside the venue.

The phone-free policy required phones, smartwatches, and accessories to be secured in individual pouches at security check-in. Guests retained possession of their devices and could access them in designated phone use areas within the venue. Devices had to be re-secured in the pouches before leaving these areas. Anyone seen using a device during the performance would be escorted out of the venue.

Numerous calls to Punchline Comedy Club went unanswered.