This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
Published on July 8, 2019, a disturbing incident at the Koroga Festival has left the music community reeling. Ethic, a popular Kenyan boy band, was involved in a heated confrontation with festival guards, resulting in injuries to several members, including Zilla, their driver, hype man Adrian, and DJ Katta.
The band has since taken to social media to condemn the incident, vowing to take legal action against those responsible. The hashtag #justiceforethic has gained traction on Twitter, with many calling for accountability from the festival organizers.
This is not the first time a Kenyan music group has faced mistreatment at the Koroga Festival. In 2017, Hart the Band clashed with police during the event, sparking a running battle that ended with the trio being arrested.
As up-and-coming musicians, Ethic and Hart the Band have faced numerous challenges in their careers. The Koroga Festival, which prides itself on showcasing local talent, has been accused of perpetuating a culture of bullying and disrespect towards artists from certain neighborhoods in Nairobi.
As the music community demands justice for Ethic, one question remains: will the Koroga Festival take steps to address these allegations and ensure a safer, more respectful environment for all artists?
