Lawyer files complaint against Blankets & Wine organizers, seeks compensation

A lawyer has filed a formal complaint with the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) over the Blankets & Wine Festival held on September 28, 2025, at Kasarani's Laureate Grounds, citing unfair trade practices and consumer welfare concerns. 

Lawyer Francis Wanjiku says he wants the authority to investigate the event under Section 9 of the Competition Act (Cap. 504), arguing that paying revellers were subjected to a poorly managed experience that did not match the advertised premium standards during the event headlined by Afrobeats star Tems. 

Attendees widely complained about distorted sound, with performances marred by technical issues that left many struggling to enjoy the music. 

The festival also suffered from delays and poor scheduling, which saw headline acts perform out of order and the programme run hours behind schedule. 

At some point, attendees noted, the stage would be left empty for over an hour, with no DJ interlude or explanation from the organisers, thus tampering with people's patience and time. 

Many also noted the late opening of the bars, sparking long queues and near-stampede situations.

Concerns were also raised in the conduct of the security personnel, many of whom were accused of highhandedness and unpleasant attitudes. 

In his review of the event, a Citizen Digital writer described, in lurid detail, the myriad of issues that plagued the once-prestigious festival.

He wrote: "By 3pm, I was still scrolling through X, questioning my life choices, and wondering if the show was being coordinated by Nairobi matatu conductors. When things finally got moving, everything was already behind schedule."

He added, "A big crowd is fantastic for the balance sheet. But the question is; was the event prepared to handle that crowd? Absolutely not. It’s one thing to pack in bodies, it’s another to keep them watered, cooled, and comfortable. Profitability may have won the night, but the actual experience – what Blankets & Wine has always been known for since inception - was in the pits throughout."

While he praised the artists, who he noted did their best despite the overwhelming lack of sequence, he laid the blame squarely on the organizers.

"Blankets & Wine is supposed to be a cultural highlight, a Sunday afternoon of music, joy, and style. And to be fair, the artists upheld their end of the bargain. But the organizers fumbled. Badly. The entire thing felt like a masterclass in how not to run an event, " he wrote.

Wanjiku now wants CAK to not only probe the organizers for unfair trade practices but also ensure that revellers are compensated for what he described as a "shoddy" event experience.