In December 2025, Santuri East Africa released a statement about the launch of an investigation following a report submitted through our safeguarding reporting channel.


The independent investigation was undertaken by a consultant from the Wangu Kanja Foundation, an experience-informed and survivor-led non-profit national organization founded in 2005.


The investigation is now concluded and the findings have been communicated to the relevant parties. Relating directly to Santuri, the investigation found no evidence of institutional authority, coercion, inducement, or misuse of organizational power. To be clear, the independent investigation upheld none of the allegations made against Santuri. 

We are aware of various rumours that continue to be shared about this topic. In order to provide reassurance to our community, we want to state the following with clarity:

- Santuri has not taken any legal action against anyone associated with this case, though continues to reserve the right to do so where reputational harm or threat is probable. 

- Santuri has received no other filing concerning any current or former member of staff in relation to this matter.



Santuri East Africa took this experience as a cue to strengthen our safeguarding systems, including the development of a formal safeguarding policy, a more robust reporting framework, a stronger community code of conduct, and mandatory training.  This is underway, and will build on the safeguarding work undertaken over the past 5 years.

Our priority remains creating a safer space for creative communities and teams to be in. We look forward to working with you all to make this a reality.

With regards, 
__________

Santuri East Africa

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Safeguarding Work Undertaken in 2025

To improve our structures and ensure accountability across the organisation, Santuri undertook a comprehensive safeguarding and organisational culture review throughout 2025. This work focused on:

1. Strengthening People & Culture

• Engaging a consultant to guide and support the development of safeguarding and wellbeing functions across all programmes. This has included integrating trauma-informed and mental-health–aware practices into facilitator training and curriculum design in Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA).

2. Clearer Reporting and Accountability Systems

• Expanding community-wide safeguarding surveys.
  
  
• Conducting individual staff interviews on culture, safety, and communication.
  
  
• Developing a structured reporting and follow-up system to ensure concerns are addressed consistently and transparently.
  
  

3. Policy and Governance Updates

• Reviewing and updating the Human Resource Manual, Standard Operating Procedures, and Personal Relationships Policy with staff input.
  
  
• Aligning all processes with Kenya’s current safeguarding, mental wellness, and workplace legislation.
  
  

4. Team Capacity Building

• Delivering a series of  full-day workshops on communication, boundaries, conflict resolution, and values alignment.
  
  
• Introducing practical tools for leadership and conflict reconciliation
  
  

This work is ongoing and will continue into 2026 as policies are finalised and operationalised.

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Safeguarding Investigation: December 2025

Earlier this year, we introduced a safeguarding reporting tool to help us understand how well we are supporting our community. Within the last month, we received a report through this channel.

We are currently following a structured process involving:

• engagement with the reporter,
  
  
• assessment by external safeguarding professionals, and
  
  
• information gathering from the individual named in the report.
  
  

We know that information about this case is circulating informally. We understand the desire for clarity, but we must protect the integrity and fairness of the process. Based on legal and professional safeguarding advice, we cannot comment on an active investigation. However, we can confirm that the process is underway, and that it follows established safeguarding standards.

The reporting tool remains open for anyone in our community who wishes to share information, anonymously or otherwise:

https://forms.gle/w6sFjE4yg3v2tx9W8

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Santuri’s Ongoing Safeguarding Commitment

The focus on safeguarding within Santuri has been as a response to Santuri’s growing influence within the creative sector, and to sentiments raised within the community about wellbeing both around the Santuri ecosystem and in wider nightlife and music circles.

We recognise that safeguarding requires continuous attention and improvement, and Santuri is committed to addressing current tensions and building a more robust culture of care. Next steps include:

• completing the investigation launched in December 2025 with fairness, care, and professionalism;
  
  
• implementing the strengthened reporting and accountability systems developed in 2025; and
  
  
• ensuring Santuri’s programs reflect the needs and wellbeing of the communities it seeks to serve.
  
  

As the investigation progresses, we will share the outcomes with the parties involved and, where appropriate, with the wider Santuri community. We remain committed to creating safer, more transparent, and more accountable creative spaces.

The following email is available for general safeguarding communications. Kindly note that it is a group-address going to more than one consultant:

safeguarding@santuri.org