‘Sina Makosa’ is probably one the most famous songs in the history of East African music but it has a back story that none of us would have expected. Based on the real life experience of Les Wanyika founding member (late Professor Omar Shaban) the song has been re-done by Cool James, Wyre and harmonize, just to mention a few. It began with a fight that Omar had in a bar with another guy over a woman. Sparking the iconic line “yule si wako na mi si wangu chuki ya nini kati yangu mimi na wewe”. “Omar shared his story during band practice and came with bits of the song,” founding member Sijali Zuwa narrated.

“The drum roll at the intro was my idea, I was inspired by the version of the national anthem that was being played on KBC which had a similar intro. Little did I know that ‘Sina Makosa’ would eventually become another national anthem.”

The band was formed in 1978 by Bassist Tommy Malanga, Trumpeter Sijali Zuwa, drummer Rashid Juma, the late saxophonist Mkwanyule and the late guitarist Omar Shabani who left Simba wa Nyika. They were later joined by guitarist John Ngereza and vocalist Issa Juma. In 2019 Sijali Zuwa took the reins again and began constituting the new ensemble. It currently consists of legendary instrumentalists who have played for other iconic bands. “When we left Simba wa Nyika I thought we should tell our fans that we are half of Wanyika (nusu wa Nyika),” Zuwa explains. “However that didn’t sound right so I used the English version of half (less) so it became Less Wanyika.” Original Article By Boniface Mithika

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Afro mama, eeh yao
Mtoto wa Sagana, eeh eeh
Kaa ukumbuke, eeh
Penzi hugeuka, eeh
Leo kwangu kesho kwako,
Mama eeh utanikumbuka, eeh

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Afro mama, eeh yao
Mtoto wa Sagana, eeh eeh
Kaa ukumbuke, eeh
Penzi hugeuka, eeh
Leo kwangu kesho kwako,
Mama eeh utanikumbuka, eeh

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Rafiki yoo yoo yoo
Kwaheri uende ufike salama
Safari yako kwenda samburu
Kuona ndugu jamaa na marafiki ooo
Utapofika maralali
Nisalimie dokta maina
Mwezi decemba nataraji
Niombe livu niifike niwaone eee
Safari yetu les wanyika
Tulipofika maralali
Tulifurahi kuwapata
Rafiki wema na wenye nia njema…×2
Asante sana dokta maina
Tena asante ndugu omolo

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

LYRICS

Paulina mamaaaaaaaa
Shemeji naleta mashtaka ….eeee.
sielewi lengo la nduguyoooooooo..
vibaya sana ooooooooo!
Naona imani yake oooooo..
Ni ndogo kwangu mamaaaaaa…

Paulina mamaaaaaaaa
Shemeji naleta mashtaka….eeee.
Sielewi lengo la nduguyoooooooo..
Vibaya sana ooooooooo!
Naona imani yake oooooo..
Ni ndogo kwangu mamaaaaaa…

Paulina mamaaaaaaaa
Shemeji naleta mashtaka….eee.
Sielewi lengo la nduguyoooooooo..
Vibaya sana ooooooooo!
Naona imani yake oooooo..
Ni ndogo kwangu mamaaaaaa…

Ikiwa ndugu yako hanitaki mamaaaa..
Naomba picha yake
Oooooooh!Saila

Ingawa ndugu yako hanitaki mamaaaa..
Naomba picha yake
Oooooooh! saila.

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

LYRICS

Aaaaaaaa… Nimaru mtoto wa Tanga

Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee…

Sheri ee usilie mwana mama ee, najua wanipenda Nimaru mama ee, sikupenda kukuacha uteseke nyumbani pekee,
Shida na tabu zinafanya watu kutengana mama eee…

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

LYRICS

Ahh! kabibi, penzi likiisha inabaki mazoea mama , sio chuki.nakuita mwana mama ehh! jina lako kabibi ohh! hata kama tumeachana ehh! mama ukiniona waja hasira ehh weka bibi ohh mwana mama ehh. nimapenzi tumeachana ehh mama yamebaki mazoea ahh hata kama penzi hakuna ehh mama kusema jambo sio makosa ehh weka bibi ohh mwana mama ehh eiyoohh.juzi juzi tulikutana ehh mama hili na lile mie sina oooh hukujibu hata salam ehh kabibi ohh nilizokuba mwana mama ehhh weka bibi ohh mwana mama ehh iyooo mama.

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.

Les Wanyika was formed in 1978 when drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tommy Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule left the Simba Wanyika Band.