Legendary band Simba Wanyika set for revival decades after founders' death

Simba Wanyika died with its founders, according to Zuwa Sijali, a former member who now leads Les Wanyika.

However, Hamisi Kinyonga, a son of the late Wilson Peter Kinyonga, one of the founders, says plans are underway to revive the iconic outfit. Wilson Peter Kinyonga died in August 1995.

Simba Wanyika Orchestra was the mother of all Wanyika offshoot musical outfits that dominated the East African music scene from the 1970s through to the turn of the century.

Formed in Kenya in 1971, the giant orchestra gave birth to Les Wanyika, Super Wanyika and Wanyika Stars, whose music remains relevant to date for its strong moral lessons.

The group continues to compete with some well-respected Tanzanian musical outfits that have ruled the Kiswahili secular music scene for close to a century.

Today, much of their music is classified as Zilizopendwa, melodies of yesteryears.

The band was founded and led by the Kinyonga brothers, George Peter Kinyonga and Wilson Peter Kinyonga, who migrated from Tanzania to Kenya in 1978.

The brothers hailed from Tanga, where they began their music careers with Jamhuri Jazz Band in 1966 before moving to Arusha, Tanzania. There, much of their work was influenced by Congolese guitarist Dr Nico, who hailed from Kigoma.

In 1970, the Kinyonga brothers moved to Arusha and formed Arusha Jazz together with their sibling, William Kinyonga.

Move to Kenya

They later relocated to Kenya in 1971 and formed Simba Wanyika, Lion of the Savannah, where they developed a unique, guitar-driven rumba sound.

At the time, musicians travelled freely between Kenya and Tanzania, learning from one another and shaping the region’s musical identity.

However, due to the abundance of talent within Simba Wanyika, intense competition for top honours emerged among band members, influencing the departure of several musicians.

In 1978, rhythm guitarist Omar Shaban left with a group of key musicians to form the legendary Les Wanyika Band.

Kenya’s musical landscape changed significantly after this split, with Les Wanyika producing some of the most entertaining and educative hits, including Wazazi, Barua Yako, Kajituliza Kasuku, Tafuta Wako, Tamaa Mbaya, Sina Makosa, Lift kwa Jirani, Maisha ni Mapambano and Fitina.

These successes were the result of collective effort under the leadership of Johnny Ngereza, Professor Omar Shaban, Issa Juma, Mohammed Tika Abdalla, Tom Malanga and Phony Mukwanyule, among others.

For a long time, Ngereza served as the lead vocalist, with Shaban on rhythm guitar, Malanga on bass guitar, and Joseph Just doubling as drummer and trumpeter.

Two years later, frustrations within Simba Wanyika culminated in 1980 when George Peter Kinyonga left to form Orchestra Jobiso. The band had a brief stint before he rejoined Simba Wanyika and rebranded it as Simba Wanyika Original.

The renaming was intended to avoid confusion with Les Wanyika and another splinter group, Super Wanyika Stars, led by Issa Juma.

Simba Wanyika Original regained popularity in the mid-1980s, releasing several hit songs that culminated in a European tour in 1989.

Some of their notable tracks include Shilingi Yaua Tena Maua, Barua Ya Mapenzi, Halleluiya, Azimo La Arusha, Dunia Kigeugeu, Pamela Sikujua Utabadilika, Dunia Haina Wema, Simba Wanyika in Europe, Mapenzi Ya Weekend, Mombasa Kisiwani and Mapenzi Ni Damu.

Zuwa Sijali, who joined Simba Wanyika after the band had arrived in Nairobi, said the group effectively died with its founders.

“The band died with Wilson Kinyonga. Most musical outfits die with their owners if they do not have proper structures,” said Zuwa, who currently leads Les Wanyika.

Zuwa had a brief stint with Simba Wanyika before dedicating his efforts to Les Wanyika, where he continues to serve as band leader following the deaths of Johnny Ngereza and Professor Omar Shaban.

Ngereza died on February 11, 2000, while Shaban passed away in 1998.

Wilson’s younger brother, George Peter Kinyonga, had died earlier in 1992, leaving Wilson as the sole proprietor of the band until his death three years later.

Hamisi Kinyonga expressed regret over the collapse of the once-popular band.

“There was nothing we could do at the time because we were still young and lacked the necessary experience. Years have passed, but we are now ready to begin a new chapter,” he said.

He added that the band could have been salvaged had they been older at the time.

“Definitely, we could have saved the band had we been of age. However, it is never too late,” he said.

Hamisi confirmed that plans are underway to revive the legendary band, just as many others have been resuscitated after standing the test of time.

“We have a set of musical instruments that will be shipped any time now. They are part of what my father purchased during their European tour in 1989, and we will use them in this process,” he said.

Asked whether they would start from scratch in terms of human capital, Hamisi was optimistic.

“There are many musicians among us and across Kenya. There is nothing to worry about. I could even lead the band myself. We are not short of talent,” he said.

“Wait and see us soon.”