KENYA: Highly Anticipated 'NiShow Power' Concert Cancelled Following Vandalism and Arson by University of Nairobi Students

It was the concert that would see all of Kenya’s biggest stars all on one stage. From Sauti Sol, Octopizzo, Juliani, Dela, Khaligraph Jones, and Sarabi, they were all set to perform at the NiShow Power Concert on the 15^th of May.

However the show ended up being cancelled following vandalism and arson by some University of Nairobi (UoN) students at the planned venue.

The show which was organized to encourage youth to register as voters would see all the stars perform for free to support the initiative.

More than 4,000 youth were expected to attend the event as well as U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec.

The event’s organizers who reported that they had lost thousands of shillings came out to condemn the actions of the UoN students.

“The Society for International Development and The Institute for Social Accountability condemn the overnight arson and vandalism at the NiShowPower concert and voter registration drive last night. Like other civic organisations and prominent artists, we have lost thousands of shillings worth of property,” read a statement from the event organisers.

“The destruction of equipment and voter education materials has effectively blocked the thousands of young Kenyan men and women from registering to vote today.”

Still on matters voting the event organizers did not forget to point out the fact that the actions were carried out by the UoN students just a few weeks after violence in the University over the recently concluded student elections.

They continued to say that if left unchecked this could lead to a worrying trend of violence among the youth.

 “The fact that it took place on the University of Nairobi grounds a few weeks after a controversial and violent student election should not be lost. The country is slowly losing the democratic space to have credible and effective elections months from the next General Elections. Left uninterrupted, the escalating violence shall leave many Kenyans unable to run party campaigns, seek election and vote for the leaders of their choice.”

Popular Afro-Neosoul artist Dela was also not left behind, being a former student at the University she expressed her disappointment over the tragic events and the institution’s past marred with violence.

“The last time I was directly affected by a UoN strike, I was in class minding my own business and the out of nowhere... TEARGAS! You guys, teargas is the ABSOLUTE WORST. But this. This comes pretty close. And all because students were told not to cook in the hostels? Someone educate me on the student rioter's psyche. No shortage of irony here, though; considering what the 'Nishow Power' event was about.”