Activist Boniface Mwangi is organizing a free open-air concert at Uhuru Park Gardens to commemorate protesters who lost their lives while exercising their democratic right to protest.
Speaking about the plans on X platform, Mwangi mentioned his attempts to contact Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Shaffie Weru, who oversees events in the county, but received no response to his phone calls.
“We wanted to have a concert on Saturday lakini @SakajaJohnson na watu wake @ShaffieWeru hawachukui simu. Watupatie Uhuru Park tufanye concert on Saturday to honour those the government murdered. Sakaja can we get access to Uhuru Park on Saturday as is? Who do we speak to?” he tweeted.
Later, however, Boniface revealed that Shaffie Weru had reached out to him and asked him to make his request in writing, with Mwangi adding that this would be a concert akin to the one he helped organise for the Garissa massacre victims in 2015.
“Nairobi County Head of Events @ShaffieWeru has called and told me to request the grounds in writing. We did a concert for the Garissa terror victims in April 2015. It will be great if we get Uhuru Park on Saturday. All artists performed for free. Tag your favourite, let’s do this!” he added.
In the Saturday concert, the activist is hoping to rope in all the big names in the Kenyan entertainment scene, especially the ones with a track record of artistic activism and releasing socially-conscious music, like Juliani and Eric Wainaina.
Already, the ‘Daima’ hit-maker has agreed to perform at the event for free – and will bring along his full band.
“@EricWainaina has agreed to perform with his full band. Wacha tupate venue,” Mwangi posted.
From a private message sent to Mwangi from a Kenyan, the concert should be treated as a solemn sendoff to the gunshot victims as well as yet another opportunity to peacefully assemble and march.
“Let’s make it a concert in honour of the fallen. Alafu after the concert, people hold a peaceful march. Slow and solemn. This will not be easy to disrupt,” the text reads.
Tribute concerts honoring individuals killed in peaceful protests are a common practice worldwide. Many countries regularly host these free events as a way to commemorate those who lost their lives while advocating for change.
Following the Iran riots that garnered global attention, several nations with significant Iranian communities organized concerts to honor not only the numerous victims but also Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who tragically died after being detained by Iran’s morality police due to her attire.
Global icons like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Yungblud, Ricky Martin, Halsey, and Googoosh were among the prominent artists who participated in these concerts dedicated to honoring the memory of those killed in Iran and raising awareness about the situation.
