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Bien explains why you can’t easily be robbed at Sol Fest
14th August, 2026 12:22 PM
Sauti Sol’s Bien-Aimé Baraza has explained why he believes fans are unlikely to fall victim to theft at Sol Fest, saying organisers invest heavily in security to protect revellers and preserve the festival’s reputation.
Speaking during an interview, Bien said security starts from the moment fans arrive at the entrance to the venue, with multiple layers of personnel deployed both outside and inside the event.
“There are layers of securities at Solfest, from the time ufike kwa gate ya kuingia carnivore, niko na maaskari, G4S, plain clothes, niko na Lang’ata police station OCS, huko ndani nko na DCIs hata huwezi ibia mtu simu hapo ndani,” Bien revealed.
He added that the extensive security presence makes it difficult for someone to steal a phone or other valuables without being noticed.
Cost of security
Bien said the organisers are willing to spend heavily on security because they consider the safety of fans an important part of the Sol Fest experience.
According to Bien, the investment is driven by the desire to ensure that fans have a positive experience and leave the festival feeling safe.
“We spend so much on security. Last year I spent Ksh9 million on security. Experience comes first because a good name is better currency than anything else,” he explained.
Sol Fest
Sol Fest is a flagship music festival associated with Sauti Sol and its music enterprise. The event was launched in 2021 at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi and has since grown into a major annual entertainment event. The inaugural edition attracted about 6,000 fans.
The festival has featured performances from Sauti Sol members and other Kenyan and international artistes, while its organisers have positioned it as a platform for celebrating African music and talent.
Theft remains a concern at concerts
Bien’s comments come amid longstanding concerns over theft at music events in Kenya, particularly phone theft in crowded venues.
Concert organisers have long battled phone theft and other security incidents, with crowded music events often becoming targets for pickpockets. At some previous concerts, hundreds of revellers reportedly lost phones and other valuables.
However, there is no reliable public figure showing exactly how many fans are robbed across Kenyan music concerts each year.
For Bien, the heavy investment in security is therefore not simply an operational expense but part of building a festival where fans can concentrate on the music without constantly worrying about their belongings.
