Reuben Kigame Speaks About Past Life During 30th Album Launch: "I'd Be Dead Or Begging, But Christ"

• Reuben Kigame, who lost sight at the age of three, is a celebrated gospel musician who dropped his first album in 1987
• The father of four released his 30th music album on Sunday, April 28, saying it was his expression of gratitude to God for saving his life
• He confessed that his past life was nothing to celebrate and was thankful that salvation enabled him to become who he is

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

Gospel musician Reuben Kigame has opened up about his past life and how salvation made him who he is.

How many music albums does Reuben Kigame have?

Kigame, a renowned Christian artiste, author, and politician who aspired to be Kenya's president in 2022, confessed that he was bound to die or end up struggling in life, but his relationship with Jesus turned everything around.

He made the powerful confession during the launch of his 30th album, titled Asante, which is a Kiswahili word for thank you.

According to Kigame, the title of the album and most of its songs expressed his gratitude for what God had done to him through the people he met at different stages of life.

Reuben Kigame's life before salvation

Papa Kigame, as his friends popularly refer to him, said the majority of friends in his past life had died because of alcohol and drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.

"I would be six feet under, just like most friends, whom we sang together in a secular band I'll not name. Some died because of alcohol; others died because of drug abuse and indulgence in dangerous sexual behaviour. I am not an exception, and I could have ended up like them," he said to a silent congregation at CITAM Valley Road.

Kigame hilariously said it was easy for his followers to assume that he had lived an honourable life since childhood, but that was not the case.

"You can be sure I tried those things before, but I found them completely destructive, and if you doubt I could die of HIV, I have four children and grandchildren, which means I can sire," added Kigame.

Reuben Kigame's music accolades

He also said that knowing Jesus made him believe that he could do more with his life rather than wait for people to help him, and he encouraged other people with disabilities to refuse to be demeaned and limited by what the world thinks about them.

"I am not saying this to demean anyone. If you've walked along the streets, you'll find many people seated by the roadside saying nisaidie shilingi (begging for a shilling). That's where I would be if it were not for Christ. I sing love songs to Christ because He changed my life," narrated Kigame.

Kigame has excelled in many fields. The Standard reported that former president Mwai Kibaki awarded Kigame the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), a head of state award, during the 2010 Mashujaa Day Celebrations.

In 2018, he won the Groove Music Awards, courtesy of his hit song Huniachi, which he did with gospel singer Gloria Muliro.

Huniachi turns out to be President William Ruto's favourite worship song. He began his music career in 1982 but produced his first gospel album, What a Mighty God We Have, in 1987.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copyeditor at TUKO.co.ke

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