Comedian Eric Omondi has revealed that the much-anticipated Tuko Kadi concert, which was set to take place last weekend at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, was cancelled after organisers were denied access to the venue despite securing approvals.
Omondi said the decision came at the last minute, just as preparations were underway. “Today in the morning we went to Uhuru Park to set up the sound and stage for the concert and to our surprise we were not allowed,” he said.
“We were stopped from accessing Uhuru Park despite having done everything and got in every approval.”
The Tuko Kadi concert had been billed as a free, youth-driven event aimed at promoting civic awareness and encouraging voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It was also intended to bring together leading artists, many of whom had agreed to perform without pay as part of efforts to engage young people.
Omondi said the planning process had taken more than two months and involved multiple government offices.
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He added that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had also come on board. “We had a meeting with the commissioner, and they agreed to partner with us. Everything was okay,” he said.
However, on the day of setting up, organisers were informed they could not proceed.
According to him, officials at the gate cited orders from the county government. “I asked who said we can’t enter and they told me it’s the county. The county has refused to allow us to use Uhuru Park,” he said.
The abrupt cancellation left both organisers and fans stranded, with some attendees reportedly travelling from as far beyond Nairobi.
Omondi admitted he was unsure how to address those who had planned to attend. “I don’t know what to tell all the people who took tickets… some people will not even see this video,” he said.
The comedian also disclosed that he had personally funded part of the event due to a lack of sponsors. “This was a free event. I put some of my savings into it,” he said, adding that he had suffered financial losses as a result. “I’ve lost a lot of money.”
He compared the situation to a previous event he organised with musician Willy Paul, which he claims faced similar last-minute disruptions. “The same thing happened… we were told on the day of the event. They sabotaged us on the day,” he said.
Beyond the financial setback, Omondi framed the cancellation as part of a larger struggle involving youth voices and civic participation. “Last year we were on the streets. We said that’s not the way to go. We said let’s do civic education and encourage young people to do the right thing,” he said.
He further called on young people to remain united and aware of their collective power. “Politics is a few organised people controlling millions who are disorganised,” he said. “When we say Gen Z, we don’t mean age. It means a new way of thinking, a new beginning.”
Despite the setback, he maintained that, “this battle now belongs to God,” he said. “When we are unable, when we are weak, that’s when God steps in.”