A video showing Diana Marua being ushered off stage mid-performance at a Nairobi concert has set social media alight, with fans divided over whether the move was disrespectful or simply par for the course at big events.
The clip, watermarked by Chuma Moto TV and featuring sponsor Phoneplace Kenya on the backdrop, was filmed at the Big Voices Fest: Mahaba Edition at Expressway Lounge along Mombasa Road. The packed indoor venue had the electric energy typical of the show’s nightlife brand.
Diana, wife of Kenyan singer Bahati, was midway through a performance of their joint hit “Mtaachana Tu” when a man believed to be a bouncer or stage manager walked onto the stage and signalled for her to wrap up. She appeared caught off guard, attempting to carry on before being escorted off as the crowd looked on in disbelief.
Why was Diana Marua removed from the stage?
Those who attended the show say the evening had fallen behind schedule, putting organisers under pressure to bring on the night’s main attraction, Tanzanian superstar Alikiba. The stage manager’s intervention was reportedly a move to claw back time before the headline set.
The video spread rapidly across TikTok and Facebook, drawing strong reactions from Diana’s supporters, who felt the moment was handled poorly.
“Why embarrass her like that? You could have let her finish. She is also an artist,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
Others, however, took a more pragmatic view, arguing that stage management at major concerts leaves little room for flexibility.
“If your time is up, your time is up. Even Burna Boy gets his mic cut,” another commenter pointed out.
Diana continues the night after the incident
Despite the awkward moment, Diana did not let it dampen her evening. Shortly after leaving the stage, she was spotted in the crowd, enjoying the rest of the show and cheering on Bahati as he performed solo hits including “Mama” and “Adhiambo.”
Neither Diana nor Bahati has made an official statement about what happened. The Mahaba Edition organisers have equally remained silent as the clip continues to circulate.
Since making the shift from YouTuber to recording artiste, Diana has been steadily working to carve out her identity as a performer in Kenya’s competitive music scene.
The incident has renewed conversation about how support acts are treated at large-scale concerts and whether show organisers have a responsibility to handle such moments with more tact.
