Family eulogises Mbotela as hard worker, jovial person

Veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela/FILE

The family of veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela has eulogised him as a hard worker and a jovial person throughout his career.

Mbotela died on Friday while undergoing treatment in Nairobi.

His brother, Donald Mbotela said that Leonard loved media and journalism as a career since he was young.

“Since childhood, he used to take books and pretend it was a microphone; he would anchor the news with it. He was used to that habit, and the teachers would beat him up, but Leonard would still go on. He did not want anything else apart from journalism,” he said.

They described Mbotela as a charismatic person who loved to make people laugh.

“He was a jovial person; when you visited him, you will not go without laughing. He was caring and a jovial person,” Leonard’s nephew added.

Donald, brother to veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela'/SCREENGRAB

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 dubbed Je Huuu ni Ungwana?, which aired on KBC radio and TV.

The programme enjoyed coverage for about 55 years.

He briefly worked with Kenya Weekly News and the East African Standard before joining KBC.

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.

President William Ruto mourned the veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela, saying the country is heartbroken by his demise.

He went on to describe Mbotela as a gifted and powerful broadcaster whose commentaries were first-class.

The President said that Mbotela will always be remembered for his mastery and contribution to the growth of radio broadcasts in the country.

He prayed for God’s comfort to his family as they come to terms with his death.

“We are heartbroken by the death of veteran broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela. He was 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?” Mbotela will fondly be remembered for the integral role he played on our radio stations—through the mentoring of young broadcasters.

“Our thoughts are with the family, their loved ones, and the media fraternity at this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Mzee Mbotela,” Ruto said on X.