Veteran broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela dies at 85
Veteran media personality and National Heroes Council member Leonard Mbotela has died. He was 84.
Mr Mbotela was one of the most influential voices in Kenyan radio, especially through his long-running ‘Je Hu Ni Ungwana?’ radio and television programme, died on Friday, February 7.
One of his sons, Jimmy, told ‘NTV’ that the broadcaster died at the Nairobi Hospital.
Mr Mbotela’s unmistakable voice and command of the Kiswahili language kept Kenyans informed on many topics — from news to sports, even as lashed out at some of their pet peeves through the famous “Je, Huu ni Uungwana?” show that ran on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) radio for years — and later aired on KBC TV. His football commentaries on radio also defined a vibrant era in the popular local sport.
On Friday, President William Ruto eulogised him as “a gifted and powerful broadcaster whose alluring voice dominated our airwaves with his first-class football commentaries and the signature programme ‘Je, Huu Ni Ungwana?’”
Mr Mbotela was born at Lady Grigg Hospital in Mombasa on May 29, 1940 and was the firstborn in his family.
“I was named Leonard after the famous British missionary, Bishop Leonard Beecher. This missionary taught my father at Alliance High school in 1926,” he wrote in his 2023 autobiography Je, Huu ni Uungwana? A Memoir by Leonard Mambo Mbotela, which was exclusively serialised by the Nation.
In the foreword of the book, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi summarised Mr Mbotela’s story as “a Mombasa Freretown-born child who grew up in the larger Ukambani region, worked in Rift Valley, and got domiciled in Nairobi to thrill millions of listeners from Broadcasting House, Nairobi (The KBC headquarters)”.
Mr Mbotela wrote in his autobiography that journalism was the Alpha and Omega of his dreams.
“I just wanted to be a broadcaster. I could not see myself doing anything else besides working at a radio station. This was my dream. And I knew it was not impossible to achieve,” he said.
One of the key moments in Mr Mbotela’s life was that in 1982 he was forced by rebel soldiers to announce on national broadcaster Voice of Kenya (now KBC) radio that President Daniel arap Moi had been overthrown. The rebels, whose takeover attempts eventually failed, wanted to use Mr Mbotela’s credibility to gain public trust.
He brought out all the drama about August 1, 1982, which he said changed his life
“I was not scheduled to work. So, I promised my wife and children that I would take them out after attending the Sunday service at St Stephen’s ACK, Jogoo Road,” he wrote. “At 4am, early Sunday, when virtually everyone in my neighbourhood in Ngara Estate, Nairobi, was still asleep, I was rudely woken up by a loud bang on my bedroom window.”
He wrote that he was forced to dress up quickly by armed soldiers then transported to the VoK studios.
“I was quickly bundled into a military Land Rover and sandwiched by armed soldiers. The car was driven very fast and carelessly, often taking the wrong lane,” he wrote. “I was shocked to see the streets full of noisy soldiers. Most of them were visibly drunk, mainly from beer they had looted. They were walking around with beer bottles. Some students from the University of Nairobi, which is adjacent to VoK, had joined the melee. They were shouting ‘Power! Power! Power!’ I still had no idea what was going on.”
Mr Mbotela was married to Alice Mwikali, with whom they had three children: Ida, Jimmy, and George.
“In a few minutes, we arrived at the VoK. I was ordered to switch on the radio. Everything was moving so fast. The soldiers were shouting orders incessantly. “Fanya haraka ama nikupige risasi (Hurry up or else I will shoot you)!” one of them threatened me. And he looked serious. I knew anything could happen here. I panicked. I was bullied from all corners. Out of fear, my coordination became quite poor, but I managed to hurriedly do all that they ordered me to do. The team leader, who had come for me that morning, whom I later learned was Private Hezekiah Ochuka, handed me a piece of paper where he had scribbled a statement. ‘Announce this! Tell the nation that Ochuka is the new president of Kenya. Moi is no longer president,’ he ordered. That is when it dawned on me that these army men had just overthrown Moi’s government,” he wrote.
It took about two hours before the mutinous soldiers were flushed out by pro-government ones. Then a pro-government soldier, Mr Mbotela wrote, “ordered me to retract the earlier announcement and inform the public that Moi was still the President of Kenya and that coup plotters had been trounced.”
He traced his roots to the southern Africa country of Malawi.
“My great-grandfather, Mbotela Senior, hailed from the Yao Clan in Central Malawi. He was born among this clan in a year believed to be 1865,” he wrote in his autobiography.
His grandfather had been captured to be sold as a slave but was later freed and started life at the Kenyan coast.
“He gladly accepted the offer to settle in Mombasa. I’m sure he did not have an idea of how to travel back to Malawi. Furthermore, having been forcefully separated from his family – and traumatised in the process – it was better to be a free man in a foreign land than being sold as a slave in Europe,” he wrote.
He added: “However, I cannot claim to be a Yao because I was never born or brought up among them. I don’t know any relative there; and I have never lived with them. But that’s where my origin can be traced back to. None of my relatives ever attempted to trace our origins in Malawi.”
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Creatives & Coins Podcast
A podcast that dives deep into the vibrant and rapidly evolving digital creative economy in Kenya. This show explores the lives, challenges, and triumphs of individuals who are successfully navigating the gig and creative economies. From digital artists and content creators to freelance writers and tech entrepreneurs, we spotlight the voices that are shaping the future of work in Kenya.
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Noma
NOMA is a gripping family drama that delves into the complexities of sibling rivalry, parental expectations, and the struggle for identity within a powerful business family In the heart of Nairobi, the Mwamba family stands as a beacon of success, with a thriving business empire built by the patriarch, MZEE AMAON MWAMBA. However, beneath the surface, the family is fractured by jealousy, unspoken desires, and the weight of expectations.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.