Veteran radio presenter and TV host Leonard Mambo Mbotela is set to launch a lifetime project which he says is in its last phase.
The 79-year-old presenter is currently writing an autobiography titled 'Je Hui Ni Ungwana'. Amani National Congress (ANC) Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi visited him and shared photos of the book.
"Had a wonderful discussion with Legendary media personality Leonard Mambo Mbotela. He shared insights from his upcoming autobiography titled ''Je Hui Ni Ungwana' which is in its last phase before official Publication and release," read a post by Mudavadi.
Mbotela joined KBC which was then Voice of Kenya(VOK) in the 1960s, retired in the late 90s, and came back to air a show. His career spans over five decades.
He started airing the show from which his autobiography coined its name in 1966 and it became the longest-running program on the airwaves.
The veteran broadcaster was also in the studio during the 1982 attempted coup when Kenya Airforce Soldiers forced him to announce their forceful takeover of government
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka also visited Mbotela yesterday and acknowledged the project.
"I reviewed his autobiography which is almost done and shared my memoir too. His book is rich in Kenyan history. We will walk with Leonard through this Journey. It is a worthy course," remarked Kalonzo.
Mbotela shared the origin of his popular show in a prior interview. “One weekend after work on a Saturday, we went to Panafric Hotel with colleagues and friends. This was a hotel for prominent people and a rare event for us. We were used to our local Karumaindo."
"So one of my friends got impatient and started banging hard on the table. He was trying to attract the waiter. I could see the shock on the patrons' faces. And I was thoroughly embarrassed. And so I turned to him and asked, ‘Je, huu ni ungwana?’” he narrated.
The journalist has bounced back after being sick. He was taken ill and admitted to Nairobi South Hospital in October 2020.
He was later discharged when President Uhuru paid ksh1 million after he made a public appeal to offset the bill.
