Boyz II Men and Sauti Sol Headline Amidst Technical Hitches and Dissatisfied Attendees
In the aftermath of the highly anticipated Stanbic Yetu Festival held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi City, Kenya on June.10.2023, which featured renowned international R&B group Boyz II Men and popular Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol, the event has become embroiled in controversy and criticism. Attendees expressed their disappointment due to various issues, prompting an outpouring of complaints and threats of legal action.
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), an independent consumer protection organisation, received an overwhelming response from disgruntled attendees who reported poor sound quality, obstructed views of the main stage by the media team, insufficient seating, inadequate facilities, and reliance on small screens that often malfunctioned. Within 24 hours, COFEK had received 419 complaints through emails, calls, and text messages.
‘It was a miracle that there was no accident or stampede at the Nairobi greatest social event on Saturday, June 10’, exclaimed Karen when reached by COFEK on phone according to information provided on the COFEK website.
‘#BoysIIMen concert was a bad experience for me. Starting from missing a spot in the tents and ending up in the outdoor umbrellas that could barely protect us from the rain. No visual of the stage as the screens were very few and small, poor sound, few loos that were far apart and very few food and drink vendors. I feel like the event was more in favor of the VIP and VVIPs. The experience did not measure up to the high prices. It could and should have been so much better with good planning’, lamented Rayhab, another attendee as per the information on COFEK website.
In a press release published on June.13.2023, COFEK called attention to Article 46(1)(d) of the constitution, which stipulates compensation for victims, and demanded more than just an apology from Radio Africa Events, the organisers of the festival. They also highlighted a disturbing incident involving Zuhura Odhiambo, CEO of the Events Managers Association, who allegedly made threats on behalf of a government leader.
“COFEK reiterates that it will conclusively pursue consumer complaints in line with the law,” read the press release in part.
COFEK urged the National Assembly to enact regulatory mechanisms to hold event managers accountable and advised consumers to exercise caution when purchasing tickets for events organised by questionable or fraudulent individuals.
In response to the mounting criticism, Radio Africa Group issued a public apology, acknowledging the concerns and frustrations expressed by concertgoers. The company recognised that the concert fell short of attendees’ expectations, particularly in terms of sound quality and the general layout of the arena.
They assured the public that they were taking the feedback seriously and had engaged sound engineers and technical experts to investigate the root causes of the issues and prevent similar problems from occurring in future events.
“We sincerely apologise for falling short of your expectations with regards, particularly to the sound quality and layout in the General arena,” read part of the statement on Radio Africa’s social media platforms.
Prior to the apology, COFEK had threatened to file a class-action lawsuit against the organisers of the Stanbic Yetu Festival. Numerous complaints were lodged, citing overcrowding, poor sound quality, malfunctioning screens, and inadequate facilities as the major grievances. COFEK called on attendees who experienced issues to provide evidence of attendance and payment, indicating their willingness to pursue legal action if satisfactory responses were not obtained from the event organisers.
Despite the negative feedback, the performances by Sauti Sol and Boyz II Men were described as mesmerizing and captivating, which Radio Africa acknowledged, “We acknowledge it was a concert of two parts. We understand the disappointment and frustration you may have felt and we want to assure you that we take your feedback seriously,” read the statement by Radio Africa Events in part.
Sauti Sol’s energetic set received an ecstatic response from the crowd, establishing a deep connection between the band and their fans. Boyz II Men enchanted the audience with their soulful renditions, leaving a lasting impression with their final song, ‘End of the Road.’
The fallout from the event has ignited a broader discussion about the need for stricter regulations and accountability in the event management industry. Critics urge caution when partnering with organisers of major events to ensure the safety and satisfaction of attendees.
As COFEK continues to assess the complaints and engage with the event organisers, the fate of the Stanbic Yetu Festival hangs in the balance. The aftermath of this controversial event serves as a reminder to both organisers and consumers to prioritise quality, safety, and accountability in the entertainment showbiz industry.