
THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF DJ SMART JONTE
The beat drops, the crowd roars, and in the middle of it all stands DJ Smart Jonte, commanding the decks with a skill that leaves everyone in awe. But there’s more to this moment than just the music—John Njogu Kibuika, or DJ Smart Jonte as he’s known, is completely blind. Yet, with every track he mixes, he defies the odds, spinning not just tunes, but a story of resilience, passion, and an unwavering belief in his dreams.
On a chilly afternoon, while scrolling through LinkedIn, I stumbled upon a captivating post. One of my connections shared a video of an intriguing young man whose talent immediately caught my attention. The post was filled with positive comments urging journalists and other people to recognize this young man’s work by telling his story and supporting him by hiring him.

Meet 28-year-old John Njogu Kibuika, also known as DJ Smart Jonte. Hired for the day, he mixes tunes on his decks, energizing the crowd at a traditional wedding. John is visually impaired but the most incredible part is how outstanding he is in his craft. While adults with disabilities report experiencing mental distress almost five times more often than those without, John exudes a bubbly energy and joy for life from the video I saw. Eager to learn more, I called him to arrange a meeting.
Calling himself ‘The finest blind DJ’, he is a man of many talents. He is not only a talented DJ but also a pianist and a lifelong music lover. After an 18-minute phone conversation, we set a date for my visit. Upon arriving at his home, I was warmly welcomed by him and his mother. After exchanging pleasantries over hot tea and snacks, we began our interview.
John is a graduate with a Certificate and Diploma in Music Production. He attended Saint Lucy School for the Blind for primary school, Thika School for the Blind for high school, and spent two years at Kamata Music School. He discovered his passion for music during primary school, sparked by a toy piano gifted by his parents, which instilled the confidence to pursue his musical dreams.
John credits his parents as the foundation of his success. He reminisces about his school days with a smile, recalling how their encouragement led him to enrol in music classes both in high school and campus. He also acknowledges the influence of prominent Kenyan DJs like DJ Kalonje and Simple Simon, who inspired his curiosity about the art of deejaying. He says he used to question the art and wondered, “Why is a particular mix starting the way it does?” He was curious to learn more about deejaying and was pretty attentive to all these details.
Crafting Magic
As we continued our conversation, John showed me the creative space where his magic happens. His room is a testament to his passion for music, featuring mounted speakers in different corners, a grand piano, and a Serato deck for mixing various music genres. Despite the challenges posed by his visual impairment, his gadgets were equipped with audio features to assist him in daily tasks.

He demonstrated his skills by effortlessly setting up his equipment and engaging me in a session of incredible jams. His independence and expertise were impressive, prompting me to compliment him on his remarkable abilities.
Curious about how he secures gigs in a competitive industry, I asked John about his experiences. He smiled, sharing how platforms like TikTok have allowed him to showcase his musical talents. Support from family, friends, and referrals has also helped him land events.

Despite his incredible talent and the aforementioned support, Jonte, like many persons with disabilities, still faces challenges when it comes to securing consistent, well-paying gigs. His struggles extend beyond personal obstacles—systemic barriers also come into play. For instance, Kenya’s National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), established to protect the rights of people like Jonte, plays a significant role in addressing these issues.
Struggles with NCPWD
Created under the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003, the council works to promote equal opportunities and improving their quality of life. Among its initiatives are the National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, disability cash transfers, job placement programs, and legal advisory services. However, Jonte’s experience with them hasn’t been without its frustrations.

The council recently launched a disability registration service on the eCitizen platform, aligning with President William Ruto’s directive to digitize government services. I asked John about his experiences with the council’s programs. His story, unfortunately, reflected many of the challenges faced by PWDs in Kenya. John shared that he had applied for a disability card years ago. “Can you believe I waited 10 years to receive it?” he said, shaking his head. He explained how both he and his mother repeatedly inquired about the card, only to be met with delays. “Perhaps it could have helped with my school fees back then, but that was the fate I had to accept.”

His frustration was evident as he urged the council to prioritize issuing disability cards promptly, as many depend on them to access crucial benefits. I was eager to know whether he had ever applied for any jobs in their portal and what his experience was like.
His response was sobering. “I’ve never applied for a job through the portal. I wouldn’t even know how to navigate it, especially in the entertainment scene,” John explained. “The application process is challenging without someone physically assisting me.” He added that although he had gone for interviews at various nightclubs, he often heard the familiar phrase, “We’ll get back to you soon,” which usually meant rejection.
One of John’s biggest challenges in securing consistent work stems from the lack of inclusivity in job applications and platforms for PWDs. He also highlighted the difficulties of preparing for events, noting that setting up his equipment requires assistance—a hurdle that complicates securing gigs. Despite his skills and reputation, finding well-paying jobs remains a struggle as he seeks more reliable opportunities.
Yet John remains undeterred. His aspirations extend far beyond just working as a DJ. He dreams of opening a music school where he can teach others, sharing his passion and knowledge with people who want to learn. He fondly credits his own music teachers who taught him many years ago for nurturing his talents, and he hopes to inspire and guide future generations similarly.

In addition to teaching, John founded ‘Smart Finest Sounds,’ his own sound company. His vision for the company is ambitious—he hopes to expand, acquire more equipment, and establish it as a successful business in the entertainment industry.
To keep his dream alive and build his brand, John has been leveraging social media. He encourages everyone to follow his social media platform @djsmartjonte for more support. He is very energetic online, which led me to ask what makes him so positive. ‘Life is too short to live unhappily,’ he said. ‘I choose to stay positive and focused on taking my music career to the next level. Challenges will always be there, but at the same time, good things will also find you,’ he added.
John’s story is one of determination, passion, and resilience. His love for music is evident in everything he does and despite the challenges he faces as a visually impaired DJ, he remains focused on his goal of making an impact in the entertainment industry. As I left his home that day, bidding John and his mother goodbye, I couldn’t help but reflect on the strength and positivity he exuded. His journey is a powerful reminder that disability does not define ability; it is a matter of perception. There is ability in every disability and with the right support, people like John can and will achieve greatness.
Edited by Pius Okore.
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