It 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.
The Les Wanyika Band made many popular recordings, and are best remembered for their hit songs "Sina Makosa", "Jessica", "Barua Yako", "Paulina", "Afro", "Kwanza Jiulize", "Tafuta Wako", "Kajituliza Kasuku", "Nimaru", "Wazazi", "Mbaya Wako Rafiki Yako", "Pamela", "Shirika la Mapenzi", "Ufukara sio Kilema", "Amigo", "Safari ya Samburu", "Nisaidie Baba", "Ni Lipi la Ajabu", "Heshimuni Wazazi", "Esther Nikumbuke", "Sioni wala Sisikii", "Penzi Halina Siri", "Mke wa Kwanza", "Nimebaki Upweke", "Safari Sio Kifo", "Mzazi Wangu Mama", "Mama Watoto", "Dunia Kigeugeu", and "Usia wa Baba", among others.
In 1971, two brothers from the coastal region of Tanga Tanzania, Wilson and George Kinyonga formed a band they would later call Simba Wanyika, Swahili for Savannah Lions.
During that time, travelling between the two countries was made easy by the East African Community, a tripartite agreement of understanding among Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Les Wanyika was formed in November 1978 by Rashid Juma, Omari Shabani, Tommy Malanga, Sijali Salum Zuwa and Phoney Mkwanyule.