NAIROBI, Kenya – The airwaves have lost an icon. Leonard Mambo Mbotela, the voice behind the legendary Jee Huu Ni Ungwana, has passed away at the age of 85.
His daughter-in-law, Anne Mbotela, confirmed his passing, revealing that the veteran broadcaster breathed his last at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday after a period of illness.
Legendary radio journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela dies aged 85 in Nairobi, family confirms
A Storied Career That Defined Kenyan Media
If you grew up tuning in to Kenyan radio or television, chances are you’ve heard Mbotela’s unmistakable voice.
A pillar of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), he was best known for Jee Huu Ni Ungwana, a show that ran for an incredible 55 years, shaping discussions around social etiquette and morality.
Mbotela’s career began humbly at Kenya Weekly News and the East African Standard before he found his true home at KBC (formerly Voice of Kenya).
His ability to blend information with entertainment made him a household name, earning him admiration across generations.
The 1982 Coup: A Moment That Shook the Nation
Beyond his illustrious broadcasting career, Mbotela’s life took a dramatic turn during the infamous 1982 attempted coup against then-President Daniel arap Moi.
On that fateful day, rogue Kenya Air Force officers stormed his home in Ngara, forcing him to announce over the national broadcaster that the government had been overthrown.
Present in the studio with him was Private Hezekiah Ochuka, the mastermind behind the coup.
However, the attempt was swiftly crushed by the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Kenya Army, led by Major General Mahamoud Mohamed. Mbotela was then ordered to go back on air, this time announcing that Moi was firmly in control of the country.
A Legacy That Lives On
Born in 1940 in Freetown, Mombasa, to James and Aida Mbotela, Leonard was the eldest of eight siblings. He later married Alice Mwikali, with whom he had three children: Aida, Jimmy, and George.
His influence on Kenya’s media industry is immeasurable. From radio to TV, he set the gold standard for storytelling and professionalism.
Even after decades in the industry, his voice remained synonymous with credibility and tradition.
As Kenya mourns the loss of one of its greatest media pioneers, his legacy endures—etched in the memories of those who grew up listening to him and in the archives of KBC.
