Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geofrey Mosiria on Wednesday rescued the legendary musician and founder of the Simba wa Nyika band from the streets of Nairobi.

Taking to his socials, Mosiria stated that the musician, identified as William Peter Kinyonga, has been suffering on the streets, homeless and vulnerable, affirming that the County Government will step in to support him.

He also appealed to Kenyans to help identify and trace his family, further confirming that Kinyonga’s home is in Tanzania.

“Today, I rescued from the streets of Nairobi the legendary musician and founder of the Simba wa Nyika band, which later became Les Wanyika. He has been suffering on the streets, homeless and vulnerable and as a government, we cannot sit back and watch a Nairobi resident suffer, said Geoffrey Mosiria.

Mosiria who was responding to a complaint, asserted that he ensured that the legendary musician received new clothes and shoes, and “personally took him to a home for the elderly where he can be safe and cared for.”

The veteran musician of the iconic Simba wa Nyika band, which later evolved into the famed Les Wanyika had reportedly been living in a state of homelessness and vulnerability for an extended period. His rescue by Mosiria stirred a relief.

Simba wa Nyika was a highly influential East African band formed in Kenya in 1971 .

The two Tanzanian brothers Wilson and George Kinyonga were renowned for their guitar-driven, melodic rumba music with Swahili lyrics, the band achieved significant popularity in Kenya and beyond.

With Internal divisions there was formation of popular offshoots like Les Wanyika and Super Wanyika Stars, and after many changes, the original band officially disbanded in 1994.