Icon in distress: Mosiria rescues homeless music legend from Nairobi streets
By Mustafa Juma, November 19, 2025Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, rescued a legendary musician found homeless and suffering on the streets of the capital.
The elderly man, identified as the founder of the iconic Simba wa Nyika band, which later evolved into the celebrated Les Wanyika, had reportedly been living in a vulnerable state with no shelter, support, or known family.
Les Wanyika remains one of East Africa’s most influential musical groups, credited with shaping the region’s benga and rumba sound for generations.
Distressing reports
Taking to his official social media accounts, Mosiria, who was moved from the environment docket by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s recent changes in the city county’s executive, said he immediately responded after receiving distressing reports from Nairobi residents who had spotted the music pioneer in dire condition.
“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. I responded immediately to the complaint, ensured he received new clothes and shoes, and personally took him to a home for the elderly where he can be safe and cared for,” Mosiria wrote on X in a caption to a 20-minute video of his engagement with the elderly man.
Home for the elderly
Mosiria personally facilitated the musician’s rescue, providing him with new clothes, shoes, and basic necessities before escorting him to a home for the elderly, where he will now receive safe housing, medical attention, and round-the-clock care.
He also appealed to members of the public for help in locating the artist’s family, which he says is in neighbouring Tanzania.
Mosiria further reaffirmed the Nairobi County Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable residents, especially the elderly, homeless, and abandoned.
“Anyone who knows his family, please reach out. He has mentioned that his home is in Tanzania, Tanganyika. We shall continue to support the less fortunate in our society – na lazima tufanye hii kazi,” he stated.
