Blankets & Wine has announced a series of major improvements aimed at enhancing the festival experience after facing criticism over its previous edition.
The announcement came as the iconic event celebrated its 17th anniversary at a private gathering in Nairobi.
The gathering marked a moment of reflection and renewal ahead of the highly anticipated “Kenyan Summer 2025” edition set for December 21 at Laureate Gardens, Kasarani.
During the gathering, they acknowledged past challenges and outlined new steps to rebuild trust with fans.
Among the major reforms, the festival has engaged an independent architectural team to reimagine its venue layout ahead of the December edition.
The goal, organisers said, is to improve crowd flow, comfort and accessibility for attendees.
“We brought in an independent architectural team last week to review the venue from a user experience perspective,” the brand manager Michelle Njeri said.
“Their mandate is simply to redesign flow, ease crowd movement and ensure the festival layout reflects the scale and ambition of Kenyan Summer 2025.”
The redesign initiative underscores the organisers’ commitment to quality and safety after facing operational issues during the September edition.
The festival’s 17-year journey, however, remains a story of resilience, creativity and community.
Since its founding on November 8, 2008, Blankets & Wine has evolved from a boutique Sunday picnic into a cornerstone of Kenya’s live music culture, celebrating African artistry and shaping the region’s creative landscape.
Reflecting on this journey, Head of Festivals Justine Mbugua said the anniversary was a chance to take stock and refocus.
“Our 17-year history is a story of love and learning,” she said.
“The work we do to create a space for connection and delight for our audiences comes from the heart, and while it’s often difficult, it’s necessary to develop the live music sector and circulate the economy.”
Addressing public speculation surrounding the September edition, organisers clarified that no formal legal complaints have been received.
“We take every concern seriously. When fans raise an issue, we investigate it thoroughly, identify what went wrong, and fix it. That’s how we continue to grow with our community," the communications manager Diane Ywaya said.
Ywaya also confirmed that the refund process for drinks and duplicate mobile payments is still ongoing.
She thanked fans for their patience, noting that the process requires detailed verification with finance and vendor teams.
Njeri added that the experience prompted an internal audit to strengthen both operations and audience relations.
“Our internal audit helped us refine not just systems, but also our relationship with audiences,” she said.
“We’ve listened, learned, and applied those lessons to build a better experience for everyone.”
Despite recent challenges, excitement around the festival remains high.
Fans have flooded social media with speculation about the upcoming artist lineup, which organisers said will be revealed soon.
“Blankets & Wine has always been that space for you to discover, love, and share, and we are humbled by the excitement around our artist reveal and grateful for a community that continues to grow with us,” Ywaya said.
As it steps into its 17th year, Blankets & Wine said its focus is on innovation, rebuilding trust, and curating safe, joyful and culturally rich experiences for audiences across Africa.
“We’ve faced challenges and learned from them, but what remains constant is our mission to deliver safe, joyful, and culturally rich experiences for our audiences,” Mbugua said.
The festival’s December return is expected to showcase not just top-tier performances but a renewed commitment to excellence that promises to restore confidence among fans and partners alike.
