Blankets & Wine, once billed as a premium celebration of music, culture, and community, has now spiraled into a legal storm—leaving thousands of fans feeling cheated, disappointed, and unheard.
The iconic Blankets & Wine festival, a beloved fixture on Nairobi’s cultural calendar, is under fire following a torrent of complaints from attendees who say the September 28th event was a disorganized disaster that failed to deliver on its high-priced promise.
Now, lawyer Francis Wanjiku is taking action. He has filed a formal complaint urging the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to investigate the organisers under Section 9 of the Competition Act (Cap. 504), citing “unfair trade practices” and a glaring mismatch between what was advertised and what was delivered.
“Revellers are entitled to the quality of service they pay for,” Wanjiku stated. “This was a shoddy event experience, and the organisers must be held accountable.”
At the heart of the complaint are allegations of a chaotic, mismanaged event that left fans disillusioned. From distorted sound systems that marred live performances to hours-long delays in the lineup, the festival quickly descended from a music lover’s dream into a logistical nightmare.
Even headline act Tems—flown in from Nigeria to electrify the crowd—was forced to perform out of schedule, with no formal announcement until the festival’s founder, Muthoni Drummer Queen, took the mic to explain the disorder.
But the most jarring moments came when bars failed to open on time, triggering frenzied crowd surges and dangerously long queues.
Witnesses described scenes of near-stampedes and mounting frustration as thousands clamored for basic services.
Fans, many of whom had paid between Ksh 3,000 to Ksh 4,500 for advance tickets, were left standing in confusion, thirst, and disbelief.
“We came for joy, music, and memories,” said one attendee. “Instead, we stood in the heat, waiting for drinks that never came, music that sounded broken, and timelines that made no sense.”
Performers like Uganda’s Joshua Baraka, Kenya’s own Chimano, and others such as We Are Nubia, Toxic Lyrikali, Zaituni, Flier, and Billy Black did take to the stage—but many fans say the moments of brilliance were drowned in an atmosphere of chaos and disappointment.
Now, the CAK must determine whether the event violated consumer protection laws and whether ticket holders are entitled to compensation.
“This is not just about one event,” said Wanjiku. “It’s about setting a standard—because consumers deserve honesty, reliability, and respect.”
The outcome of this probe could mark a watershed moment in how music festivals and large-scale events are held accountable in Kenya—raising critical questions about corporate responsibility, ethical marketing, and consumer protection in a booming entertainment scene.
For now, a growing chorus of frustrated fans and advocates waits to see whether Blankets & Wine will answer not just to the law—but to the thousands whose trust they may have lost.
Blankets & Wine Organizers Break Silence After Backlash, Admit Failures and Promise Major Changes
After nearly two weeks of public outrage, the organizers of the Blankets & Wine Festival have finally responded—admitting to major lapses in the September 28th edition and pledging significant improvements ahead of the upcoming “Kenyan Summer” show on December 21st.
In a detailed statement sent to ticket holders, the organizers acknowledged that the event—headlined by Nigerian star Tems—“fell short” on several fronts, including sound quality, delayed performances, and poor bar service.
“It’s been really helpful to see the festival through your eyes… We’re circling back to the main pain points and looping you in on fixes underway,” the statement read.
Among the most criticized elements was the bar service, where long queues, failed pre-orders, and network issues left many without drinks they had already paid for. Organizers blamed network congestion, adding that Safaricom’s booster on-site still failed to prevent lags.
They now plan to improve non-network payment options, explore cash at select bars, and ensure faster service through better operational backups.
Sound, Scheduling, and Technical Delays
The team also addressed audio complaints, admitting that sections of the stage had poor sound coverage, particularly on the “Softlife” wing. However, they dismissed viral claims that Tems’ mic cut off, saying it was part of the show.
Performance delays led to a reshuffling of the lineup, with Tems and Joshua Baraka switching slots—something they now admit was not clearly communicated.
To fix this, organizers are reworking artist changeover workflows and promise real-time communication improvements going forward.
Site, Lighting & Water Fixes Promised
Other issues acknowledged include:
- Poor lighting and signage, which the team now plans to enhance
- Crowd movement challenges, prompting a full site re-plan
- Water shortages, which will now be managed through a new onsite distributor model
An external audit has also been commissioned to strengthen operations, and case-by-case refunds or resolutions are underway for affected pre-order and double-payment customers.
“Your feedback has been heard and is being addressed,” the statement concludes, assuring fans of a better experience come December.
Legal Trouble Still Looms
The apology comes amid legal pressure from Nairobi-based lawyer Francis Wanjiku, who has filed a complaint with the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).
He accuses the organizers of unfair trade practices, arguing that paying revellers were promised a premium experience but received a “shoddy” event instead.
Wanjiku is seeking not only an official investigation but also compensation for affected attendees.
The CAK is expected to determine whether Blankets & Wine breached consumer protection laws under Section 9 of the Competition Act (Cap. 504)—a ruling that could set a new precedent for how large-scale entertainment events are regulated in Kenya.
