Kenya's broadcast icon Leonard Mambo Mbotela dies at 85
His family said he had been unwell for some time and took his last breath around 9:30 am on Friday.
Veteran media personality Leonard Mambo Mbotela has passed away.
His family confirmed his death, stating that he had been unwell for some time and took his last breath around 9:30 am on Friday.
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Mbotela was married to Alice Mwikali, and together they had three children – Aida Mbotela, Jimmy Mbotela, and George Mbotela.
Mbotela was born in 1940 in Freetown, Mombasa, to James and Aida Mbotela. He was the firstborn in a family of eight children.
His passion for broadcasting started early, as he would collect newspaper clippings and read them to his classmates.
He began his media career as a trainee at The Standard newspaper in Nakuru before joining Kenya Weekly News and The East African Standard. In 1964, he transitioned to the Voice of Kenya (VoK), now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), marking the start of his long career in broadcasting.
Mbotela became widely known for his radio show ‘Je, Huu ni Ungwana?’, which aired on KBC radio and TV.
The programme, launched in 1966, focused on social etiquette and manners, becoming one of Kenya’s longest-running shows. It remained on air for about 55 years, earning him admiration across generations.
1982 coup attempt
His career also had dramatic moments.
In 1982, during the failed coup against former president Daniel Arap Moi, he was forced at gunpoint to announce on the radio that the government had been overthrown.
After serving for 58 years, Mbotela retired from KBC in 2022. That same year, he was sworn in as a member of the Kenya National Heroes Council, with Chief Justice Martha Koome witnessing the ceremony.
In December 2020, he faced financial struggles when he was hospitalised. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta quietly settled his Sh1 million bill, allowing him to be discharged.
In October 2023, former Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba visited Mbotela at his Nairobi home to check on his health. He presented him with the Hongera Award and a Sh1 million cash prize for his contribution to the nation.
Mbotela’s legacy in Kenyan media remains unmatched, with his influence spanning decades.
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