Mwanaume Ni Effort, the organizers of the Shoke Shoke festival, have canceled the much-anticipated event due to "unmet financial obligations."

The concert, scheduled for September 9, 2023, included Nigerian superstar Ruger as the leading performer and Kenyan musicians Wakadinali and Kahush.

PHOTO | COURTESY shokeshoke


On Wednesday, the organizers admitted in a forthright statement that, while they would have wanted to produce another amazing event for their supporters, their devotion was hampered by "logistical and operational challenges."

"To our esteemed Shoke Shoke Community, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of the Shoke Shoke Festival scheduled for September 9th at the Uhuru Gardens due to unmet financial obligations," a statement said.

Did you read this?

  1. Kenyan Artist Mejja Struggles To Perform At Shoke Shoke Festival Due To His Throat Issue

"We recognise the disappointment this may cause, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience."

The organizers appeared to concur that their precarious financial situation would make providing a high-quality experience for supporters difficult, therefore the cancellation.

PHOTO | COURTESY Papa Jones

"We were excited to create another unforgettable experience on this edition, but our unwavering commitment and dedication were hampered by logistical and operational challenges, making it impossible to ensure the high-quality experience that you all deserve," they concluded.

Inquiring further, the organizers stated that they knew that many fans had already purchased tickets and would, understandably, seek a quick refund.

However, they stated that the majority of the funds had already been spent to pay musicians and for logistical purposes and that ticket holders would have to wait longer to receive their money back.

"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 line-up," the statement continued.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, supporters have been informed that they may have to wait at least 45 to 60 days to get a refund.