Leonard Mambo Mbotela, the esteemed Kenyan journalist who passed away on Friday, had a remarkable career in the media that spanned an impressive fifty years.
Born in Freetown, Mombasa, Mbotela was the firstborn in a family of eight, the son of the late James and Aida Mbotela. His father, a dedicated educator, taught at various institutions, including Shimo La Tewa High School and Kabianga High School, eventually retiring as an educational officer. His mother was actively involved with “Maendeleo ya Wanawake.”
From an early age, Mbotela was captivated by the world of broadcasting, relishing the opportunity to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
After finishing primary school, he attended Kitui High School and completed his secondary education in 1962. He then began his career as a trainee reporter at The Standard in Nakuru.
In 1964, he joined the Voice of Kenya, now known as the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, where he remained until his retirement in 2022.
At the state broadcaster, he developed his iconic program “Je Huu ni Ungwana?” which is still aired today. In 1967, he furthered his skills with a year of journalism training at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London.
During the attempted coup in 1982 aimed at toppling President Daniel Moi, Mbotela was in the studio fulfilling his regular duties. He was reportedly coerced into announcing on live television that the nation was under military rule and that the president had been ousted.
The situation was eventually stabilized by the GSU and regular police forces, after which he was instructed to declare that the rebels had been defeated and that the president was back in control.
By the time he left the airwaves in 2022, Mbotela had dedicated an astounding 58 years to broadcasting. He is survived by his wife, Alice Mwikali, and their three children: Jimmy, George, and Aida Mbotela.
