Crystal Kegehi Asige is a Kenyan musician, activist, and nominated Senator representing persons with disabilities in the Kenyan Senate under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Her life’s journey—marked by resilience, creativity, and advocacy—has made her one of Kenya’s most inspiring public figures.
Born and raised in Mombasa, Asige spent her formative years surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of Kenya’s coastal region. She began her education at Mombasa Academy in 1995, completing her primary education in 2000 and continuing to O-Level and A-Level studies, which she completed by 2007.
From an early age, she displayed exceptional talent in music and drama, performing in school productions that hinted at her future in the creative arts. In 2007, she relocated to the United Kingdom to study at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and Drama in 2010.
During her final years of secondary school, Asige began experiencing progressive vision loss. At just 15, she noticed challenges in reading scripts and classroom materials. While in the UK, she was diagnosed with glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease that caused her to lose her sight in her early twenties. Despite this, she remained determined to excel—her experience with blindness later shaping her work as an advocate for accessibility, disability inclusion, and equal opportunity.
Career and Advocacy
After graduating in 2010, Crystal Asige launched a multifaceted career in the media and creative industries. Between 2011 and 2013, she worked with BBC Bristol, gaining professional experience in film and television production.
Upon returning to Kenya in 2013, she joined View Finder EPZ as a Production Manager, managing multimedia projects and nurturing creative talent. Later, she worked with Adam Smith International (2015–2016), using her storytelling and communication skills to advance development-focused projects.
Alongside her corporate work, Asige pursued a successful music career, blending coastal chakacha rhythms with modern pop and soul influences. Her collaboration with Sol Generation, the record label founded by Sauti Sol, established her as one of Kenya’s leading contemporary voices. Through her music, she highlighted social issues such as resilience, mental health, and disability awareness.
Her advocacy extended beyond entertainment. In 2018, she joined the Open Institute, a civic technology organization dedicated to open data, social inclusion, and participatory governance. She has also been involved with Amnesty International Kenya and the Glaucoma Society of Kenya, where she champions policy reforms for people with disabilities.
As a public speaker and accessibility consultant, Asige became an influential figure in shaping conversations around inclusive design, disability representation, and accessible infrastructure in Kenya.
Political Career
Crystal Asige joined active politics through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), part of the Azimio la Umoja coalition. Following the August 9, 2022 General Election, she was nominated to the Senate to represent persons with disabilities and special interest groups.
Her tenure in the Senate has been marked by impactful legislation and advocacy. In 2023, she introduced the Persons with Disabilities Bill, a landmark proposal aimed at reforming Kenya’s disability law to enhance accessibility, strengthen protection against discrimination, and promote equal opportunities in education and employment. The Bill received bipartisan support and was passed in 2025, becoming a defining achievement of her political career.
She also sponsored the Learners with Disabilities Bill (2023) and the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, both designed to make public institutions more inclusive and accessible to all citizens.
Within the Senate, Asige has served on several committees, including:
- Labour and Social Welfare
- Roads and Transport
- Justice, Human Rights and Legal Affairs
- Senate Business Committee
Her voice in Parliament symbolizes a new era of inclusive leadership, where personal experience meets policy innovation to drive systemic change.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Despite her visual impairment, Crystal Asige continues to live a vibrant life centered on purpose, creativity, and service. She often describes her blindness not as a limitation but as a different way of seeing the world—one that fuels her artistry and compassion for others.
Asige’s personal story has inspired millions, proving that disability does not define destiny. She remains a role model for young Kenyans, especially women and persons with disabilities, encouraging them to embrace education, self-expression, and leadership.
While her net worth is not publicly known, as a Kenyan senator, she earns a gross monthly salary of approximately Ksh 739,600, including:
- Basic Salary: Ksh 443,760
- House Allowance: Ksh 150,000
- Salary Market Adjustment: Ksh 145,840
Her benefits include:
- Medical Cover: Up to Ksh 10 million annually (inpatient), Ksh 300,000 (outpatient)
- Car Maintenance Allowance: Ksh 356,525 per month
- Committee Sitting Allowances: Up to Ksh 240,000 for Chairpersons, Ksh 192,000 for Vice Chairpersons, and Ksh 120,000 for Members
- Car Reimbursement: One-time Ksh 7.55 million per term
- Group Life Insurance and Personal Accident Cover
Through her combined roles as artist, advocate, and legislator, Senator Crystal Asige continues to shape Kenya’s cultural and political landscape — a beacon of inclusion, perseverance, and transformation.
