William Kinyonga, a founder member of the once-famous Simba Wanyika band, was given a new lease of life when Nairobi County Officer Geoffrey Mosiria rescued him from the streets.
Mosiria, who was recently transferred from his position as Chief Officer for Environment to Customer Service and Citizen Engagement by Governor Johnson Sakaja, revealed in a video the desperate situation Kinyonga was in as he tried to help him.
According to Mosiria, Kinyonga was homeless and suffering on the streets of Nairobi, and he had moved to rescue him after several well-wishers had urged him to do so.
Mosiria said that he had made sure Kinyonga received new clothes and shoes, and that he had personally taken him to a home for the elderly where he would be safe and cared for.
In the video, Kinyonga looked unkempt and frail. His speech was incoherent, as demonstrated by the instances of miscommunication between him and Mosiria.
Once a high-flying musician, Kinyonga’s plight has been previously highlighted, with reports revealing that he was seen staying around the slums of Majengo in Nairobi.
The band Simba Wanyika was formed in 1971 by three Tanzanian brothers, William and his two brothers - Wilson Kinyonga and George Kinyonga - after they moved to Kenya. Before forming Simba Wanyika, the Kinyonga brothers were part of Jamhuri Jazz Band in Tanga, Tanzania.
They also played in Arusha Jazz in Tanzania before relocating to Kenya and renaming their group. The name Simba Wanyika means “Lions of the Savannah” in Swahili.
Gaining inspiration from soukous guitarists, their sound was guitar-driven rumba and had a very melodic tune, with lyrics in Swahili.
They started by playing in nightclubs and bars in Nairobi, gaining a big following. By the mid-1970s, Simba Wanyika was a well-known name throughout Kenya, propelled by hits like Mwongele and Wana Wanyika.
The group faced internal division, leading to the creation of several famous offshoot bands. The first major split occurred in the late 1970s when rhythm guitarist Omar Shabani, often called ‘Professor Omar Shabani’, took several musicians to form Les Wanyika in 1978.
In 1980, George Kinyonga also left to form Orchestra Jobiso, although he eventually rejoined Simba Wanyika while managing side projects with Jobiso. To distinguish themselves from their successful offshoots, Les Wanyika and Super Wanyika Stars, the original band later changed its name to ‘Simba Wanyika Original.’
The band experienced a resurgence in popularity in the mid-1980s, releasing many hits and embarking on a tour of Europe in 1989. However, the group eventually disbanded in 1994.
Meanwhile, Mosiria requested well-wishers to facilitate Kinyonga’s travel back to Tanzania, his birthplace, where he said Kinyonga owned properties.
