Collective says agreed standards were ignored, leading to last-minute withdrawal from Nyayo Stadium show
Kenyan music collective Kodong Klan has withdrawn from the Asake and Gabzy Live in Nairobi concert just hours before the show.
The group was scheduled to perform on Saturday, December 20, at Nyayo Stadium, alongside Nigerian stars Asake and Gabzy. However, they announced their decision to pull out through an official statement shared on Instagram.
In the statement, the group said their withdrawal followed a consistent pattern of disrespect from the event organisers. They said agreed standards were ignored, with the situation becoming worse during the soundcheck on the evening of the concert.
The group said their artists and team were subjected to unacceptable treatment, making it difficult for them to continue with the performance.
They also claimed there was interference from another performer’s team, and that organisers failed to step in and address the issue.
Kodong Klan stated that performing under such conditions would suggest that the treatment they received was acceptable, which they said it was not.
The collective further revealed that several commitments made before contracts were signed were later ignored or changed. They said they made repeated efforts to adjust and resolve the issues in good faith, but their concerns were not taken seriously.
According to the group, the decision to withdraw was made to protect the artists, the team, and their work. They said the move was not taken lightly but was necessary to maintain their professional integrity.
The concert, officially titled “Tukutane Presents Asake & Gabzy Live in Nairobi,” is one of the most anticipated music events of the festive season. It features Asake and Gabzy as headliners and is supported by major sponsors, including Kenya Airways, Martell, and Coca-Cola. The event is restricted to audiences aged 18 and above.
Kodong Klan thanked fans who were expecting to see them perform and expressed appreciation for their continued support.
The group is made up of several well-known Kenyan artists, including Okello Max, Bensoul, Mordecai Dex, Charisma, Ywaya Tajiri, Coster Ojwang, and Onyach Pala.
The withdrawal has sparked wider discussion about the treatment of local artists during international concerts held in Kenya. As of publication, event organisers had not issued a public response to the claims raised by the group.
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