In an electrifying turn of events, the legendary R&B vocal group Boyz II Men made a highly anticipated tour stop in Kenya. Renowned for their soulful harmonies, timeless hits, and captivating stage presence, Boyz II Men promised to deliver an unforgettable musical experience to their Kenyan fans.
Boyz II Men, comprising Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman, rose to fame in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the most successful R&B groups in history. Their velvety smooth vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and emotional ballads captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
Boyz II Men's decision to include Kenya on their tour schedule is a testament to the country's growing prominence in the international music circuit. Kenya has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its music industry over the past decade. The country's rich cultural heritage and diverse musical influences have given rise to a vibrant and dynamic music scene.
The Boyz II Men tour promised to be a sensational musical extravaganza that would captivate audiences and create memories to last a lifetime. Their unparalleled vocal harmonies, combined with soulful performances, transcend generations and have a universal appeal.
The concert was expected to feature a carefully curated setlist that encompasses the group's greatest hits, showcasing their remarkable discography spanning over three decades.
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The Boyz II Men tour offered more than just a night of exceptional music. It presented an opportunity for fans to witness a world-class production, complete with mesmerizing visuals, choreography, and stage design. Moreover, the concert served as a celebration of the enduring legacy of Boyz II Men and their contribution to the music industry.
The anticipation surrounding Boyz II Men's tour was palpable, as fans eagerly awaited the chance to witness their musical idols perform live on Kenyan soil.
The impact of Boyz II Men's visit extends beyond the entertainment sphere. The tour had the potential to boost Kenya's tourism industry, attracting music enthusiasts from neighboring countries and even further afield. Additionally, the Boyz II Men tour would provide a platform for local Kenyan artists to showcase their talent as the opening acts. It's a chance for homegrown musicians to share the stage with global superstars and gain exposure to a wider audience.
The impact of the tour doesn't end with the final notes of the concert. It serves as an inspiration for aspiring musicians in Kenya, highlighting the possibilities and opportunities that exist in the music industry. Boyz II Men's journey from humble beginnings to global stardom serves as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and perseverance.
I am writing this after being deeply disappointed at the Boyz II Men concert held in Nairobi on Saturday, June 10. Deeply disappointed is the closest descriptor I can think of to express my feelings that does not rely on the use of expletives. In case you missed it, the verdict is that this was one of the most anticipated concerts for the over 30 urban Nairobi demographic this year and was a flop.
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For a little context, the Boyz II Men concert was marketed as a premium event for the over 30 RnB fans, with tickets going for KSh 30,000 for VVIP, KSh 15,000 for VIP and KSh 8,000 for regular. The average concert tickets usually go for about half that price, so this was on the pricier end. But no matter, premium was the entire idea.
To sweeten the pot, Kenya’s favourite boyband, Sauti Sol would be the opening act. I, like many others, had planned to get VIP tickets but VVIP and VIP tickets sold out in record time. So we settled for regular tickets, but given the great job the organizers of the Stanbic Yetu Festival had done at last year’s concert headlined by Anthony Hamilton, we were sure it was going to be a great night.
The disappointment awaiting us was hinted at when we arrived at Uhuru Gardens and there was confusion at the entrance. I brushed it off, but quickly realized it was a symptom of a much larger problem once we got in. Disorganisation is an understatement.
The dome wasn’t big enough to accomodate everyone and the layout was terrible, with the regular section completely cut off from accessing the stage. You couldn’t even see the stage from the regular section and they had one small screen for stage visibility that kept going off. The sound was atrocious and we could barely hear a thing.
We missed most of Sauti Sol’s performance because the screen was off and the sound muffled, and spent most of it chanting with the crowd, ” Fix the screen. By the time Boyz II Men got on stage, people were standing on chairs and tables to try and get a glimpse of them. It was pandemonium.
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I had to squeeze through tens of people to get to a decent vantage point. By this point, I was drenched since I had been caught in the rain while going to the bathroom which was a hike away and featured long queues as there were only five stalls for over 5000 people.
The complaints have been loud since the event and the organizers, Homeboyz and Radio Africa, put out statements. They read like the typical PR statements we have gotten used to from Kenyan event organizers who keep dropping the ball. This time though, people are angrier than usual and even The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has thrown their hat in the ring to pursue a possible civil suit.
This is not the first botched concert Kenyans have had to suffer through. The complaints have been ongoing for years, with people citing everything from poor sound, poor security and terrible performances as the main issues.
Article 46 of the Constitution of Kenya provides for consumer protection by both public and private entities and the Competition Act No. 12 of 2010 (Revised in 2016) was enacted to protect consumers from unfair and misleading market conduct. Consumer protection is firmly in Kenyan law, but enforcement is the issue.
From issues with event organizers to terrible service from internet service providers and taxi hailing apps, Kenyans are being defrauded, mistreated and even suffering physical and psychological harm. We need to demand action from the government entities meant to protect us.
We also need to practice active citizenship and do all we can within the law to get our complaints acted upon, including participating in petitions and publicly supporting the relevant civil suits.
And for those who think we deserve less because we are in Africa, let this be your wake-up call. We will not be mistreated or disrespected in our own country. And for those saying we should catch flights to experience value for money, do a little self reflection that will hopefully lead you to self-love and self-respect. Why should you go to enjoy and brag about your nice neighbour’s house while yours is in disarray?
Kenyan stop of their debut Africa Tour, the music streaming company said Monday. which will also see them make stops in Uganda and South Africa. considered one of the most iconic R&B groups in music history.
End of the Road. enjoying an uptick of 191% and 124% respectively, Spotify said. the boy band wave that took the world by storm in the 90s. Blackstreet and New Edition among others. You, One Sweet Day, Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee. artists. Cream. well as the 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. been ongoing since 2013. headlining, alongside Kenyan acts Otile Brown and June Gachui.
Good afternoon, I went to the concert as a regular ticket holder, which cost Kshs. There was no seating arrangement for regular ticket holders. There was a vendor who was ‘leasing’ out seats for Sh300, incurring an extra cost for regular ticket holders. We were not allowed to access the main arena with said seats so it really beat logic why they were even made available to us.
There was poor planning for the lavatories which were so far from the venue. They were not enough for the number of people who were at the venue. Moreover, they were not lit and ran out of water at some point. Regular ticket holders had to rely on screens to be able to see the stage and performers. The sound quality was underwhelming and that was what was absolutely disheartening. This was the bare minimum requirement for a musical event, especially one of such magnitude.
I was a regular ticket holder, having paid KES 8000. I have attended a number of festivals and concerts in Nairobi and this is the most expensive ticket I have ever bought. Given this, I expected the quality of organization and production to be at the very least above mediocre!
- No visuals!: There was only one screen for all in the main regular space to watch the performances. We had no view of the stage at all (it should have been elevated so performers were at least visible!).
- No sound!: For a majority of the Boys II Men performance we could not hear it! We had to literally chant for the sound to be fixed so we could hear. By the time it was fixed, the performance was ending.
- Short performance: It was advertised that Boys II Men would perform for two hours.
- Toilets: The toilets were not enough for the number of people in attendance. On average one was queuing up to 30 mins to use a toilet and then at some point there was no water in the toilet!
I would like to complain about the Boyz II Men Concert. I felt that everything was catered towards making sure the VVIP and VIP ticket holders enjoyed the concert but not the rest of us. We were forced to stay outside the main tent under one of the vendor garden umbrellas. It kept on raining and we were rained on.
The sound wasn’t great and the organisers did not put in enough screens so that people could be able to see. Then one of the screens that was there wasn’t working half the time. People kept screaming “fix the screen”. Because of this a lot of people were standing in their seats in order to see the concert. I did not pay 8K for a regular ticket to have such a forgettable experience.
I was paying to have a good time with my friends, see the musicians perform and listen and dance to the music. I was not able to do any of that because of the poor planning of the organizers. It is clear that the planning wasn’t done with any consideration for regular ticket holders. The toilets were far and few (during the rainy season).
This is to complain about the Boyz II Men concert. Although I was happy to see Boyz II Men and Sauti Sol. I was promised a premium experience and I did not get that.
Looking forward to you taking swift action on this matter.
The concert serves as an inspiration for aspiring musicians in Kenya, highlighting the possibilities and opportunities that exist in the music industry. Boyz II Men's journey from humble beginnings to global stardom serves as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and perseverance.
On September 27, 2025, legendary saxophonist Kenny G delivered a flawless performance at KICC that erased the stain of Stanbic Bank’s infamous 2023 Boyz II Men fiasco.
For Stanbic Bank’s next event, the bar is now set.
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