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| Leonard Mambo Mbotela |
Renowned Kenyan journalist and media personality Leonard Mambo Mbotela is dead, aged 85 years.
His family confirmed that he passed away on Friday, February 7, while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital, with reports indicating he died around 9:30 a.m.
Mbotela was a household name in Kenya, the iconic voice behind the more-than-five-decade-running show Je, Huu Ni Uungwana? on radio and television.
Launched in 1966, the Social Etiquette and Manners show was probably one of the longest-serving on Kenyan broadcasters.
He was born in Freetown, Mombasa. From childhood, Mbotela's inspiration for broadcasting had already taken form.
He had started off as a trainee reporter at The Standard newspaper in Nakuru before moving to the Voice of Kenya, VoK (now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, KBC), in 1964.
He would later become a famous newsreader, commentator, and program host for many years.
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| Mbotela's Memoir Je Huu ni Uungwana? |
At the same time, he was also a respected sports commentator who is famously credited with coining the phrase Kadenge na mpira, synonymous with Kenyan football.
The defining moment in Mbotela's career came on August 1, 1982, during the attempted coup in Kenya.
He was forcibly taken to the VoK studios by rebel soldiers and made to announce the overthrow of President Daniel Arap Moi’s government.
Once the coup had been put down, he was sent to read the announcement of the restoration of the government - an indication of his relevance in the sector.
During his tenure, Mbotela had several national decorations; among them were the Head of State Commendation, HSC, 1987; Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya, OGW, 1992; and a National Hero, 2009.
Even after retiring in 2022, Mbotela remained a guiding figure in journalism, releasing his memoir, Je, Huu Ni Uungwana?, in 2024.
He leaves behind his wife, Alice Mwikali Mbotela and their three children: Aida, Jimmy, and George.
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