Blankets & Wine, one of East Africa’s most renowned live music festivals, has denied receiving any formal notice from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) following media reports that a complaint had been filed over its September edition, which drew widespread public criticism for poor organization and service lapses.
- •The festival’s organizers said they became aware of the alleged CAK filing only through press coverage but maintained they would cooperate if officially notified.
- •The statement comes amid continuing fallout from a chaotic event on 28th September at Kasarani’s Laureate Gardens, where thousands of attendees reported delayed performances, bar shortages, and inconsistent sound.
- •The alleged complaint, filed by Nairobi-based lawyer Francis Wanjiku, accuses the organizers of unfair trade practices under Section 9 of the Competition Act.
Wanjiku argues that paying attendees were subjected to an experience that did not match the advertised premium standards and is seeking compensation for affected revellers.
“We have officially not received any legal summons. We learned of this information through the media. Should we receive any notice from the Authority, we will follow due process,” said the Creative Director of B&W, Muthoni Ndonga a.k.a Muthoni Drummer Queen.
While Blankets & Wine claims it has not been served, the company’s latest briefing suggests the controversy has already prompted a sweeping internal review during the stakeholder briefing held ahead of the festival’s 17th anniversary season.
Executives from its parent company, GoodTimes Africa, said the festival had conducted an audit of its operations and identified several weak points including digital payment congestion, inadequate bar staffing, and poor VIP-area layout.
“Kenyan venues are a blank slate. We are still creating a space where music and community thrive. We have come a long way in 16 years, but we still have a way to go. We thank Kenyans for standing with us and look forward to co-creating the future with them as we turn 17,” said the Head of Festivals, Patricia Kihoro.
The September edition headlined Nigerian Grammy nominee Tems (Temilade Openiyi) and featured performances by Joshua Baraka, Willis Chimano, We Are Nubia, Zaituni, and others. Tickets for regular attendees were priced at KSh 5,000 while those for VIPs tagged at KSh 12,000.
To address the shortcomings, organizers plan to overhaul logistics ahead of the December 21 “Kenyan Summer 2025” edition, also scheduled for Kasarani. Measures will include expanded cash and card options at bars, upgraded sound systems, revised crowd flow plans, and the appointment of a dedicated hospitality manager to coordinate vendors and service teams.
“After sixteen years of learning and growth, our aim is not simply to return, but to raise the bar. Blankets & Wine has always been about community, culture and creative expression — for Kenyan Summer 2025, we are ensuring the infrastructure reflects that ambition,” Muthoni said.
Since its debut in 2008, Blankets & Wine has hosted early performances by artists such as Sauti Sol and H_art the Band, positioning itself as a launchpad for East African talent. This year’s missteps have raised questions about the festival’s capacity to manage its growth and maintain the premium experience it markets.
According to the PwC Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook (2024–2028) report, Kenya’s live events industry is expanding faster than the global average but remains constrained by poor venue infrastructure and difficulty in attracting top-tier artists.
Kenya’s entertainment and media market grew by 5.8% in 2023, trailing Nigeria’s 15% and South Africa’s 11.7%, yet analysts say limited purpose-built venues and inconsistent artist availability are keeping the country from fully capitalizing on its youthful audience and post-pandemic rebound.
The findings underscore why incidents like the Blankets & Wine controversy have wider industry implications, revealing how infrastructure gaps and execution flaws can quickly erode consumer trust in a market otherwise primed for sustained growth.
