31/08/2025
The city of Eldoret, often lauded as Kenya's athletic capital, has recently become the epicenter of a troubling trend of last-minute show disruptions.
The latest case involves singer Bien, whose much-anticipated "Alusa Continua" tour stop at the Eldoret Sports Club suffered a sudden venue change to Baniyas. His team cited “unforeseen circumstances” echoing a worrying pattern of instability in Eldoret’s live entertainment scene.
This incident comes not long after comedian Senge Helena’s show in Eldoret faced a storm of controversy and cancellation, only to be later rescheduled. Bien could be facing a similar challenge alledgedly emanating from his public criticism of the current government, making many believe the disruption may have been influenced by more than just “Unforseen circumstances."
For fans, the frustration runs deep. Some had paid up to KSh 5,000 for VIP tickets, expecting a polished, international standard tour experience from Bien who is known for upholding professionalism at the highest level. Even more concerning, the event was never marketed as a celebration of Baniyas’ 2nd anniversary. Instead, it was billed clearly as an official "Alusa Continua" tour stop with Bien as the headliner.
To reframe the event after tickets had already been sold feels both misleading and unfair, leaving consumers questioning their rights and the transparency of event organisers.
With both Bien and Senge Helena facing similar disruptions, the parallels are hard to ignore. Bien’s case, in particular, exposes a gap between the event’s hype and its delivery raising deeper questions. Are Eldoret’s artists and fans being let down by poor planning, interference, or lack of accountability?
As Eldoret grows as a cultural hub, such setbacks risk damaging its reputation and casting doubt on its ability to host successful events in the future.
