Veteran radio presenter and broadcaster, Leonard Mambo Mbotela, famed for his shows on KBC radio, has died, aged 85.
His daughter-in-law, Mrs Anne Mbotela, confirmed his death. The ageing journalist had been unwell for some time and breathed his last at around 9:30 am today Friday, 7th February 2025. “It is true my father-in-law has passed on,” Anne said.
His death comes eight years after rumours flew around about his death in July 2017. Responding to the rumours that he had perished in a road acccident, Mbotela made a special request to Kenyans to pray for him to live even longer – and long he has lived for eight good years.
Mbotela was married to Alice Mwikali who together had three children: Aida Mbotela, Jimmy Mbotela and George Mbotela. The legendary journalist was famed for his popular radio and TV programme Jee Huuu ni Ungwana which aired on KBC radio and TV. The programme was incepted in 1966 and it enjoyed coverage for about 55 years.
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His distinctive voice filled the airwaves during live soccer commentaries and major national events, captivating audiences across the country.
The veteran journalist was born in Freetown, Mombasa in 1940 to James and Aida Mbotela. He was the firstborn in a family of eight children. He briefly worked with Kenya Weekly News and the East African Standard before joining KBC.
He joined Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, then known as Voice of Kenya (VoK), in 1964 and provided commentary on numerous history-defining moments. He also had stints at the Presidential Press Service. After retirement, he served as a member of the National Heroes Council.
Having practised journalism for over five decades, a major highlight of his career is the 1982 coup that sought to overthrow then-President Danie Moi.
The operation saw some officers from the Kenya Air Force storm Mbotela’s house in Ngara where they captured him and led him to Voice of Kenya (VOK) studios and forced to announce that President Daniel arap Moi’s government had been overthrown. Present while announcing was Private Hezekiah Ochuka.
The situation was, however, reversed after the GSU and later the regular Police led by Major General Mahamoud Mohamed thwarted the coup attempt and Mbotela was asked to announce that Moi was firmly in control of the country as President.
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