What began as mild joint pains for Nicasius Mugambi in 2019 suddenly condemned him to a wheelchair three years later.
“My life became stranger than the day I was born. I could not understand why God had to allow the devil to change my life from wellness to permanent disability when I was only 19 years old,” he told Nation at his parents’ home in Githage village, Kirinyaga County.
Nicasius Mugambi, before his sudden disability in 2019.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
However, the disability also unveiled a hidden guitar-playing talent in him. Today, having reconciled with his fate, one of his strongest desires is to be supported to earn a livelihood as a one-man Mugithi guitar artist.
“A man shall not live by bodily wellness alone… even disability is healthy living. It has not confined me to self-pity. Let me play this guitar and sing for you, and you pay me,” he says.
The joint pains began in his ankles before gradually spreading to other joints. By the time he was sitting for his Form Four examinations at Gatugura Secondary School, he was already walking with the aid of crutches.
Being the lastborn in a peasant family of three siblings, and due to poverty, he did not benefit from proper medical examinations.
“I sought medical attention at a nearby dispensary where I was put on painkiller management. But as days went on, my condition worsened, first forcing me onto crutches before confining me to a wheelchair,” he says.
Nicasius Mugambi, before his sudden disability in 2019.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
Mugambi adds that the dispensary later recommended physiotherapy sessions when it became clear that his condition was deteriorating.
“However, every session left me in acute pain. They would say the pain was evidence of a healing process. The sessions became terrifying. It was clear I was receiving ineffective treatment,” he says.
He eventually lost mobility, and his arms stiffened, losing about 90 percent flexibility, which sparked conflicting opinions on his condition.
“The more practical voices said I needed urgent hospitalisation, but we had no money. The religious recommended praying without ceasing, which we did as a family,” he says.
Traditionalists and cultural purists recommended rituals involving the slaughter of goats and seeking intervention from ancestral spirits, which was also done, he narrates.
Nicasius Mugambi during the interview with Nation Media Group in Githage village, Kirinyaga County on February 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
However, nothing worked, and his parents, Jamleck Gitari and Ms Agnes Waguthii, were left grappling with the sudden change in their only son’s life. His childhood dream had been to become an engineer.
“I cannot question God who gave me this son. I know regaining his mobility requires a miracle. I am content and can only pray that he lives a fulfilling life,” Mr Gitari told Nation .
Ms Waguthii said, “Watching my son’s condition gave me a mild stroke in 2023… May the God who gave me this son come through for him.”
According to Dr Leonald Gikera of Murang’a Level Five Hospital, “It was a disadvantage that Mugambi never accessed proper diagnostic procedures to clearly define his medical condition.”
Dr Gikera says Mugambi most likely suffers from Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) or another inflammatory or autoimmune condition affecting his joints and nerves.
He adds: “On face value, we can only speculate that he may have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, or reactive arthritis.”
Despite this, Mugambi has accepted his situation and moved on.
“I came to terms with the irreversibility of my condition, but to keep myself busy and live positively, I returned to my high school passion playing guitar and singing,” he says.
“The key is not to descend into self-pity or self-hate. I trust in God, who truly knows why this had to happen. Don’t give me money as charity give me work and pay me. I can even train people to play guitar,” he says.
Nicasius Mugambi during the interview with Nation Media Group in Githage village, Kirinyaga County, on February 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
He adds, “Let me entertain patrons in entertainment joints or at any gathering, and you pay me. Even while in my wheelchair, I can play guitar and sing for four hours nonstop.”
He has also built an online presence, uploading short videos of his Mugithi performances to market his talent.
He says he needs an electric wheelchair to help him move with ease and that his repeated applications for a government social support stipend should be approved.
“My Governor Ms Anne Waiguru should intervene in my application. It has been pending for the past three years,” he says.
