Kenyan Maasai musician Leshao Leshao sings climate justice in Maa

Leshao Leshao, a Maasai musician and trained civil engineer, uses songs in the Maa language to speak about climate change and Indigenous rights, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reported on 4 October 2026. KBC says he has taken part in COP29, SB62, COP30 and SB64, international climate meetings where governments, researchers and civil society groups discuss climate action.

KBC gives his full name as Leshao Sopia Leshao. A May 2025 profile by Global Citizen names him Amos Leshao Sopia and describes him as a 23-year-old Kenyan musician, climate justice activist and civil engineer.

KBC quoted him: "I am not a climate scientist, but I am an artist with a voice and a platform."

According to KBC, he believes music can help preserve the language and cultural heritage of the Maasai while showing younger generations that embracing education and modern opportunities does not require them to abandon their identity.

Leshao was raised around the Maasai Mara, where, KBC writes, he grew up observing the close relationship between communities, livestock, wildlife and the environment. He began making music in 2019 while in high school and took it more seriously in 2022 as a university student.

He graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology in October 2024, KBC says. It adds that he was named Rift Valley Male Artist of the Year and has featured on platforms including Global Citizen and Nation Media.

Global Citizen says he blends contemporary beats with traditional Maasai rhythms, and that his music addresses education, culture, climate change, justice and love.

His climate advocacy led to a collaboration with Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SASAL), which Global Citizen describes as a youth-led NGO. According to KBC, the partnership produced the climate songs Esipata Oloing'ange and ESIANA. Global Citizen lists Esipata Oloing'ange as "Climate Justice".

In the Global Citizen profile, Leshao says climate change has significantly affected his community in the Maasai Mara. He describes prolonged droughts, heavy floods, high livestock mortality and increased human-wildlife conflict.

In May 2025, Global Citizen featured him through its Emerging Creatives programme, which KBC says highlights artists using their creativity to address social issues. Leshao performed Esipata Oloing'ange in his home village of Meguarra, Narok County, according to Global Citizen. KBC says Leshao described the performance as significant because it brought the climate message back to the community that inspired his work.