Shoke Shoke Festivals is one of the biggest festivals in the country and has brought together biggest names in music to Kenyan stages – musicians and DJs – both local and international arts. Kenyan fans always turns up in big numbers when it comes to festivals and concerts making the country a gold mine for promoters and artists both locally and internationally. Shoke Shoke organizers had scheduled for a show of a lifetime on the 29th July 2023, that was to be headlined by Kenyan’s hip hop trio Wakadinali along Kahush and Nigerian sensation Ruger at Uhuru Gardens. After the announcement, fans rushed to get their tickets in preparation for the festival.
On the the 20th of July 2023 – just 9 days to the D-day – the event was postponed citing the then ongoing “maandamano” demonstrations in Nairobi as the reason for post ponding the event. A new date was scheduled – on the 9th of September 2023 – and the organizers apologized to the fans and promised the a show of a lifetime on the new scheduled date. On the 30th of August 2023 – just less than 10 days to the new date – the organizers released a statement cancelling the event. In the statement, the organizers cited that the event’s financial obligations were unmet, due to this it would be hard for quality event logistics therefore hindering the operations. Further in the statement, the event organizers promised to refund ticket holders within 45 to 60 days but asked them to be patient as they sort out the process.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of Shoke Shoke Festival scheduled for September 9th at the Uhuru Gardens due to unmet financial obligations. We understand the disappointment this may bring, and we genuinely apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Shoke Shoke Festival has grown to become a cherished event, bringing together music, culture, and community in a unique way. We are eagerly looking forward to creating another unforgettable experience on this edition, however our unwavering commitment and dedication were impeded by logistical and operational challenges which makes it possible to ensure a high-quality experience that you all deserve. Moreover, the current state of the economy has presented significant handles that have impacted our investors and sponsors’ ability to support the festival as initially planned.
Refund Process and Artist Support:
Refund Process and Artist Support:We understand that many of you have already purchased tickets for this years’ festival. We deeply appreciate your support, as these ticket sales directly contribute to making the Festival the incredible experience it is. A significant portion of the funds from ticket sales had already been allocated to compensate our talented artists and performers who were set to grace the stage. While we would love to provide immediate refunds, we want to be transparent about our current financial situation, as these funds were deployed to support the artists who were an integral part of the festival lineup.
Our team is actively working to secure the necessary additional funds as soon as possible and we anticipate that the refunds will be processed with the next 45 to 60 days. We understand that waiting for a refund can be frustrating, and we request for and sincerely appreciate and understanding during this challenging time.
This being said, as a brand and the team at Shoke Shoke, we are taking time to regroup, reflect and strategize for the future. We intend to focus on planning more sustainable activities that align with our mission and values as we explore innovative ways to engage our audience and create positive impact. We believe that these efforts will contribute to our ongoing mission of driving change and fostering a better future for all.
Once again we extend our deepest apologies for any inconvenience this cancelation may have caused. our team is here to address ant questions or concerns you might have. Please reach out to info@shokeshoke.com or Dm any of our social media pages.
Thank you for your ongoing support, understanding and resilience”.