Reuben Kigame is a household name to many gospel music lovers. Kigame is an award-winning gospel musician in Kenya. He is among the few artists feted by former President Mwai Kibaki for exemplary work. Despite the many challenges he faces like being blind, Kigame has remained steadfast in the music industry. Currently, he is among the well-known and long-serving gospel artists in the country. In this article, we are going to look at Reuben Kigame music, biography, and age.
Reuben Kigame Biography
Reuben Kigame was born to Susan and Richard Lichete on March 13, 1966, in East Bunyore, Western Kenya. Therefore, he is currently 55 years old. Reuben lost his sight at 3 years due to eye cataracts. However, this did not hinder him from carrying on his gospel mission. Having been brought up in rural areas of Kenya, Reuben faced a lot of challenges. However, this did not hinder him from pursuing his education.
Check out: William Ruto’s Education and Political History
Reuben Kigame Education
At the age of 7, Kigame joined Kibos School for the blind in Kisumu. Having been a hard-working person, Kigame excelled academically while at the Kibos School. Being in a boarding school, Kigame got an opportunity to interact with other students who were also blind. These students were talented in different ways. It was here that Kigame identified his skills in debating and singing. He participated in the Debating Society and the school choir.
Reuben Kigame established his small band while at the Kibos School for the Blind. The band performed exemplary and became popular in the school especially during the last three years of his stay in this school. As the patron in the band, Kigame wrote songs, organized how the music will be played, and also played the percussions. Kigame did and passed his Certificate of Primary Education in 1980.
In 1981, Reuben Kigame proceeded to the Salvation Army High School for the Blind in Thika, where he stayed from 1981 to 1986. While at this school, Kigame focused not only on his academic but also his singing talent. It is at this point that the artist became born again.
In 1987, Kigame proceeded to Kenyatta University to pursue Bachelor of Education in History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. He graduated in 1990.
Christian Life
Reuben Kigame was mentored into his Christian life as a Christian Apologetic at the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Apologetics Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The mentorship took place from 1996 to 1998. Kigame is still going on with studies as he is taking two masters programmes; one in Apologetics and the other in Journalism and Media Studies.
Check out: List of the Famous Ocampo Six
Rueben Kigame Family
In May 1991, Reuben married Mercy Wanderwa Mwangi, his college lover. The colourful wedding was held at St. Francis Anglican Church of Kenya, Nairobi. Together, they had three children;
- Shalom who was born in 1992. This child decided to pursue Communications at Daystar University.
- Shekinah born in 1994. She ventured into music at Kenyatta University.
- Shema born in 2003.
The Death of Kigame’s Wife
Reuben Kigame lost his wife, Mercy on September 5, 2006. Mercy got involved in an accident while taking their last born daughter, Shema to the hospital. Mercy died while Shema survived the accident. Kigame, while speaking in an interview described this as the darkest moment in his life. He said, “Losing Mercy on that tragic September 5, 2006, will remain the darkest moment in my entire life. You see, she was the girl of my youth. She was my confidant.”
After teh death of Mercy, Kigame went ahead and married Julie Alividza Mugone. Julie was one of Mercy’s friends and also a member of Sifa Voices, a music team established by Kigame in 1996. Together, they have a son, Yeshua born in February 2010.
Rueben Kigame’s Career
After graduation, Kigame started working as a teacher. However, he resigned from teaching in 1994 to start an outreach programme. He started the outreach programme by working with the Kenya Youth for Christ (KYC). From here, Kigame went and established Word of Truth Ministries (WTM). According to Kigame, WTM is an organization that engages in friendly dialogue with the critics of Christianity.
In 2001, he worked briefly with Radio Citizen. His role at Radio Citizen was to write Jingles. From here, he proceeded to FAmily Media where he hosted a daily show at Family FM for one year.
Reuben has worked at Bibilia Husema and volunteered briefly at Kememe FM. KIgame was instrumental during the launch of Hope FM in Nairobi where he worked as a presenter.
Finally, Reuben set up Fish FM which began broadcasting in 2006.
During the 2010’s Mashujaa day celebrations, Kigame was awarded the Grand Warrior (OGW), a Head of State Award for being instrumental for Kenya’s Media and Music.
Reuben Kigame’s Music Journey
Kigame’s music journey began in 1987 when he recorded his first album, What a Mighty God we Have. This recording was done at Transworld Radio and was sponsored by Kigame’s friend, Imbumi Makuku.
Reuben launched his second album shortly after his visit to Germany. The artist and songwriter went on to launch a total of 20 albums, including the recent one, Usifadhaike.
This was a presentation of facts about Kigame. The article covered Reuben Kigame Music, biography, and age.
