A Global Call for Fairness

A coalition of Britain's most successful music artists, including Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Radiohead, has formally urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to implement a promised cap on ticket resale prices. In an open letter on Thursday, 13 November 2025, the artists, who collectively boast over half a billion album sales, condemned the "extortionate and pernicious" practices of secondary ticketing platforms like Viagogo and StubHub. They argue these platforms facilitate ticket touts (scalpers) who use automated software, or 'bots', to buy tickets in bulk and resell them at vastly inflated prices, often preventing genuine fans from attending live events.

The UK government is currently consulting on the issue, considering a cap that could range from the original face value to a 30% increase. This move follows a pledge in the ruling Labour Party's election manifesto to enhance consumer protections in the live events sector. According to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), tickets on secondary platforms are often marked up by over 50%, with some investigations finding prices inflated by up to six times their original cost.

The Kenyan Parallel: Scalpers and Scams Plague Major Events

While the debate rages in the UK, the Kenyan live event scene is facing its own significant ticketing challenges, indicating a growing, parallel problem. Recent high-profile events in Nairobi have been marred by scalping and outright fraud, leaving many fans frustrated and out of pocket. For instance, the highly anticipated Burna Boy concert on 1 March 2025, saw numerous empty seats despite being officially sold out. Reports indicated that scalpers had purchased tickets in bulk and attempted to resell them at prohibitive prices, effectively locking out genuine fans who couldn't afford the inflated rates.

Similarly, the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) matches held in Nairobi experienced widespread ticketing issues. During a key match at Kasarani Stadium in August 2025, hundreds of fans with what appeared to be valid tickets were denied entry. Investigations revealed that rogue vendors were buying tickets in bulk and reselling the same digital ticket to multiple buyers. This was compounded by the emergence of fraudulent, cloned websites mimicking official ticket vendors to sell fake tickets to unsuspecting football supporters. The official ticketing platform for the tournament acknowledged its system was overwhelmed by bots, preventing fans from securing tickets fairly.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The issue transcends mere fan disappointment, carrying significant economic and cultural weight. In the UK, research suggests ticket touting costs music fans an extra £145 million annually. Globally, the secondary ticketing market is a multi-billion dollar industry that diverts revenue away from artists, venues, and the local economy, channeling it instead to unregulated resellers. This practice not only makes cultural events less accessible but also erodes trust in the entire live events ecosystem.

In Kenya, as the nation hosts more international artists and major sporting events, the economic stakes are rising. Successful events can significantly boost local economies through tourism, hospitality, and transport. However, the prevalence of scalping and fraud threatens this potential, damaging the country's reputation as a premier event destination and discouraging fan participation.

The Path Forward: Regulation and Consumer Protection

The UK artists' demand for a price cap is one proposed solution to a global problem. Proponents believe it would disincentivise the industrial-scale touting that currently exists. However, critics, including the resale platforms themselves, argue that a cap could drive the market underground onto unregulated social media platforms, potentially increasing fraud.

In Kenya, the legal framework is still developing. The Consumer Protection Act of 2012 provides a basis for action against unfair trade practices, and the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) can investigate complaints. There are also proposals for new e-commerce regulations to impose tougher penalties for online fraud. However, specific legislation targeting ticket touting and the use of bots does not yet exist.

The experiences at the CHAN tournament and the Burna Boy concert serve as a clear warning. As Kenya's vibrant event industry continues to grow, the UK's legislative push offers a critical case study. For Kenyan consumers, the call from global music icons is a reminder that fair access to cultural and sporting events requires robust regulation, vigilant enforcement, and a ticketing market that prioritises fans, not profiteers. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED into the specific policies of local ticketing platforms like Ticketsasa, Madfun, and Ticketyetu regarding secondary sales and bot prevention is needed to fully assess the local landscape.