Statehouse spinmaster, DJ Euphoric, recounts how he lost his limbs
Statehouse DJ Barare Ogeto, better known as DJ Euphoric, has revealed the heartbreaking journey of losing the use of his limbs.
Recalling the onset of his disability, DJ Euphoric told media personality Melody Sinzore:
“I became disabled at about the age of 15/16 when I was about to sit for my KCPE. I woke up one day and felt pain in my joints. At first, I put it down to normal fatigue from the previous day’s activities, but the pain persisted for a week or two. Eventually, one of my legs became unable to touch down – due to the pain,” he said.
Despite his deteriorating condition, DJ Euphoric said he continued to attend school.
He said his worried mother demanded answers when she noticed his leg was not touching the ground.
But even after being prescribed painkillers, his situation showed no signs of improvement.
“Over time, the pain became unbearable,” DJ Euphoric continued.
“I had to stop going to school because my legs wouldn’t straighten and my back wouldn’t stretch. Sitting became unbearable. Physiotherapy became my ray of hope in the midst of despair. Sadly, friends and villagers distanced themselves from me, attributing my condition to witchcraft. The battle with depression consumed me for almost two years,” DJ Euphoric explained.
Acceptance wasn’t easy for the award-winning DJ. “It took me almost four years to come to terms with my condition,” he admitted.
“Being disabled as a child is different from being disabled as an adult. At first, I was worried about social perceptions, especially when I started using a wheelchair. But the unwavering support of my family kept me going. I embraced myself and shed all negativity. I was inspired by seeing people with severe disabilities who showed remarkable resilience.
In an earlier interview, DJ Euphoric expressed that meeting retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was a dream beyond his imagination.
Their meeting took place at State House in 2018 when he was invited to DJ at an end-of-year celebration.
“I couldn’t believe it when I received the invitation to perform, but being there felt like a surreal dream,” he recalls.
“After the event, President Kenyatta personally approached my DJ booth and told me how inspired and uplifted he was by my work.”