Crystal Asige

Last updated
Crystal Asige
Nominated Senator
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 September 2022
Personal details
Born (1990-08-12) 12 August 1990 (age 35)
Mombasa, Kenya
Party ODM
Alma mater University of the West of England (BA)
Notable AwardsTIME100 Next emerging leaders (2024)
Website crystalasige.com

Crystal Kegehi Asige (born August 12 1990) is a nominated senator in the parliament of Kenya under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). [1] [2] She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and represents special interest groups such as youths and people living with disabilities. Asige is a singer, songwriter, and music producer focusing in Chakacha-infused music. She was previously signed under Sol Generation Records. [3] Asige is a victim of glaucoma which led to the loss of her sight in her 20s and she continues to raise awareness about the condition. [4] [5]

Contents

Early childhood and education

Asige spent her childhood in Mombasa. [6] She holds a bachelor's degree on film studies and drama from the University of the West of England, Bristol. She is also an alumna of Mombasa Academy, having completed her O and A level studies there. [7] [8]

Career

Private sector career

Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Asige worked at BBC as a production management assistant from 2011 to 2013. She later moved to View Finder EPZ then Adam Smith International. She has also been working with Open Institute as a program manager. [6]

Asige served at the board of Amnesty Kenya, before being nominated to the senate. [9]

She is the vice chairperson of the Glaucoma Society of Kenya. [10]

Political career

Asige was nominated into the 13th parliament of Kenya, under the Orange Democratic Movement party to represent People living with disabilities and the youth, in September 2022. She serves in the senate, which is the upper house.

As a seving senator, Asige has supported the passing of legislation that support people with disabilities, [11] including tax breaks for caregivers and the promotion of Kenyan Sign Language. [12] [13]

Asige additionally serves as the secretary general of the Kenya Disabled Parliamentarians Association and chairperson for Persons with Disabilities in the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association. [14]

Music career

Asige is a songwriter, producer and a performer. [9] She was previously signed under Sol Generation Records and featured in some of their hit songs. [15] However in 2022 she sued them over some disagreement related to her contract and compensation. [16] [17]

As a solo artist, Asige has released several albums and singles and has featured too and contributed in other artists' music, such as Sauti Sol and Eric Wainaina. [18]

Her first EP, Karibia, was released in December 2014. [12] In November 2023 she released another EP, Blinding Allure, featuring Ywaya Tajiri. [19] [20] Her latest single, Better, was released on 28 November 2025.

Her other singles are Tattoo (2024), [21] Ninajijua (2022), Nyota (2021), Lenga (2021) [22] and Straight No Chaser (2020).

Her music blends several genres such as Afro Soul, Afro Pop and Funk music.

Awards and recognition

In 2024, Asige was recognized among the TIME100 Next emerging leaders by Time Magazine. [23] She was nominated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Advocate Eddie Ndopu, who described her as an incredible individual who champions for rights of people living with disabilities. [24]

References

  1. ↑ Digital, Standard. "Crystal Asige: From Sol Generation to the Senate". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  2. ↑ "Sen. Crystal Asige | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Archived from the original on 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  3. ↑ "Former Sol Generation label artist Crystal Asige speaks of her current relationship with Sauti Sol". Citizen Digital. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  4. ↑ "Crystal Asige: How glaucoma stole my sight" . Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  5. ↑ "Crystal-clear ambition even after losing sight". The Star. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  6. 1 2 Muchiri, Brian (2019-10-16). "Musician Crystal Asige Lost Her Sight In Her Early 20s But She Has Not Let That Stop Her From Pursuing Her Dreams". Potentash Africa. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  7. ↑ Olugbile, Femi (2024-10-25). "The amazing story of senator Crystal Azige". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  8. ↑ "Crystal Asige Profile: Educational Background, Career, Family And Net Worth". 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  9. 1 2 "How glaucoma setback transformed songwriter Crystal Asige". Nairobi News. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  10. ↑ Africa, Dawan. "Crystal Asige | Dawanpedia". Dawan Africa. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  11. ↑ Centre, The Parliamentary (2026-01-12). "The Rhythm of Advocacy: How a Senator's Voice Strengthened Disability Rights in Kenya". Parliamentary Centre. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  12. 1 2 "TRT Afrika - Asige: Senator, singer and champion of disability rights in Kenya". www.trtafrika.com. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  13. ↑ "Senator Crystal Asige recognised for advocacy work". Nairobi News. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  14. ↑ "NZZ Connect | SEF". www.swisseconomic.ch. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  15. ↑ "Crystal Asige | Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  16. ↑ Muthoni, Kamau. "Crystal Asige sues Sauti Sol, airline over music contract". Evewoman Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  17. ↑ "Crystal Asige vs Sol Generation: The Story So Far". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  18. ↑ "BBC World Service TV - Life Clinic, Blindness didn't stop her from pursuing a career in music". BBC. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  19. ↑ "Senator Crystal Asige experiments with hip-hop, trap & RnB in her new mixtape". Pulse Kenya. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  20. ↑ Tonui, Patricia (2023-11-07). "Senator Crystal Asige Releases New Hits, Thrills Fans: "Blinding Allure" - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  21. ↑ GROUP, NTV KENYA-NATION MEDIA. "NTV Kenya: Senator Asige releases new single "Tattoo" in solidarity with women". NTV Kenya. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  22. ↑ "Crystal Asige unveils another single, 'Lenga' - Zambianplay". https://zambianplay.com/ . Retrieved 2026-02-03.{{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  23. ↑ "Nominated Senator Crystal Asige Features in Time 100 Next Rankings - Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  24. ↑ Ngina, Fay. "Cystal Asige on Time Magazine's 2024 Time100 Next list". The Standard. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
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