"Joseph Just was not just a percussionist with the Wanyika bands but a great vocalist as well," reminisces Abbu Omar, his former colleague at Simba Wanyika and Les Wanyika, while mourning the Tanzanian musician who made a name in Kenya, featuring for several bands over several decades.

Joseph Just, also known as Muzungu due to his light skin complexion, died on June 20, 2025, at the KCMC Hospital in Himo Town, Moshi Municipality, Tanzania, after battling a heart ailment for a couple of years, according to his wife, a Kenyan from Kakamega.

He had since retired from music. He left Kenya to settle in his hometown during the COVID-19 period and operated an M-PESA shop there. Joseph Just was part and parcel of the legendary Wanyika bands that dominated the Nairobi entertainment scene for several decades from the mid-1970s.

The genealogy of the Wanyika, which comprises several generations, began with the Young Nyamwezi Band of Harrison Siwale, the patriarch of the family.

It is from this outfit that an offshoot emerged: Jamhuri Jazz. Jamhuri Jazz gave birth to Arusha Jazz, which was headed by the Kalekezi siblings, George and Wilson, popularly known as Kinyonga.

The band relocated to Kenya and settled in Mombasa, as narrated by Abbu Omar in his book Maisha Yangu Na Bendi Za Wanyika. Since they were now in Kenya, they rebranded to Simba Wanyika because Arusha is in Tanzania.

It is from Simba Wanyika that Les Wanyika emerged, further extending the family by several births, among them Mavalo Kings and MAS System. Joseph Just's entry point into this musical family was at the Simba Wanyika level.

Born Joseph Just Shayo in Rombo, Kilimanjaro, in 1958, he acquired primary education in local schools. In 1973, he traveled to Mombasa, Kenya, to visit an uncle who did business in the town—quite typical of the entrepreneurship of the Chiga community, known to be very aggressive businesspeople.

He settled in Mombasa and began hawking to eke out a living. It happened that one time, during his hawking business in a place known as Majengo, he came across a band performing. The band was Simba Wanyika.

Being an astute music fan, he found himself completely carried away by the musical prowess of the team. He had to ignore his hawking duties and make his way there the following day, not to patronize but to engage the musicians on the possibility of them training him to become a musician, just like them.

He was elated to learn that these superstars were actually from Tanzania, like him. He struck a rapport and managed to convince the team to train him to become a musician. The team agreed. As Abbu Omar once quipped, George Peter always had a listening ear and a willing heart.

The band agreed to take him on board but not as a musician; rather, more as a subordinate whose core role was to help lift and assemble the band's equipment. Of course, this was a way of testing his patience and commitment.

Once within the fold, they taught him how to play the congas. He learned fast and became a master of it. He was also a gifted singer with a natural high tenor, which became a big asset to the band.

During the recording of the Baba Asiya album, Joseph Just was in the studio singing alongside George Peter as he also played percussion. The album, which also featured Abbu Omar on rhythm guitar, was recorded at High Fidelity Studios.

Les Wanyika was an offshoot of Simba Wanyika, as stated earlier. Joseph Just was part of Simba Wanyika but later found his way to Les Wanyika, which was headed by John Ngereza. Although Ngereza was from Super Bwambe of Congolese Kayembe Nyonga, several musicians in the ensemble were previously members of Simba Wanyika, among them lethal rhythmist Omar Shaban, nicknamed "Professor."

The team also had trumpeter Sijali Zuwa, sax player Phoney Mukwanyule, and bassist Tom Malanga, among others. At Les Wanyika, Joseph mostly played the congas.

With the fortunes of Les Wanyika dwindling after the demise of John Ngereza, Joseph Just made his way to MAS System, which played at Muungano in Nairobi. He also played with Mazadijo of Anzino Osundwa and Limpopo of Musa Juma, where he mostly sang.

He also had several stints with other bands and singing groups, moonlighting for the recording of numerous songs, among them the Oyundi album of Ochieng Kabasele, which featured songs like "Jela," "Sije," and "Homage Owino Ger." The album was recorded at Babu Sha Studios and featured Super Mazembe bassist Atia Joe on bass, Kabasele himself on rhythm, and Onyango Raringo on bass. Babu Kanyotu, the sound engineer, played the keyboard.

Joseph Just made his way into the hall of fame of African music, having immensely contributed in the years he was active. Burial arrangements are ongoing in his rural home, where he will be buried on a date yet to be confirmed.

By Jerome Ogola

Jabulani Radio

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