Legendary journalist and media personality Leonard Mambo Mbotela is dead.
Mbotela, who graced television screens in a career spanning more than five decades, passed away at 85 years of age.
His demise was confirmed by his daughter-in-law Anne Mbotela.
Mbotela, who had been sickly, passed away on Friday while receiving treatment at a city hospital.
Mbotela particularly gained fame for his “Je, Huu ni Uungwana?” television show that gripped many television audiences while it aired.
The show, which was launched in 1966, addressed issues of social etiquette and manners. The program became immensely popular and has been a staple on KBC radio for decades, making it one of the longest-running shows in Kenyan broadcasting history
From his school days, Mbotela’s passion for broadcasting was evident, as he would compile news from newspaper clippings and read them aloud to his classmates.
This enthusiasm led him to a trainee position at The Standard newspaper in Nakuru. In 1964, he transitioned to the Voice of Kenya (VoK), now known as the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), marking the beginning of his illustrious broadcasting career.
A defining moment in Mbotela’s time at VoK came during the 1982 attempted coup.
On August 1, 1982, rebel soldiers forcibly took him to the VoK studios and compelled him to announce the overthrow of President Daniel Arap Moi’s government. After the coup was suppressed, he was tasked with informing the nation of the government's restoration—a testament to his prominence and the trust placed in his voice.
The veteran broadcaster, who was born in Freetown, Mombasa, witnessed all five Kenyan presidents ascend to power and once worked at the Presidential Press Unit.
Throughout his career, Mbotela has been widely recognized for his contributions to journalism and broadcasting. In 1987, he received the Head of State Commendation (HSC), followed by the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) in 1992. In 2009, the Kenyan government honored him as a national hero for his significant impact on the country’s media landscape.
Mbotela released his memoir titled, "Je, Huu ni Ungwana?" detailing his life and times in the media industry in 2024.
