On August 1, 1982, veteran radio personality Leonard Mambo Mbotela was picked up early in the morning by a contingent of heavily armed officers at his house in Ngara.
In what in modern-day society could be described as abduction, Mbotela was taken straight to Voice of Kenya (VoK) studios along Harry Thuku Road.
Surrounded by soldiers and a gun pointed at him, the veteran radio broadcaster was ordered to read a script declaring that the late President Daniel Arap Moi’s administration had been overthrown.
Mbotela remained composed and delivered the news to Kenyans which took an unexpected turn resulting in chaos, loss of lives and destruction of property.
However, that movie-worth turn of events turned out to be a blessing in disguise to Leonard Mambo Mbotela’s career and life.
Joins presidential press unit
Immediately after the late President Moi thwarted the attempted coup, Mbotela’s career took a positive turn. The veteran radio personality received a call from Lee Njiru to meet the then-president.
Njiru then informed him that he had been picked to join the Presidential Press Unit, a team that was tasked with disseminating information to the public.
“After the attempted coup d’état in 1982, I got a call from Lee Njiru, who was then the head of the presidential press unit, and I was informed that I would be joining the then President Moi’s press unit,” Mbotela during a previous interview with a local publication.
“I managed to go to the State House and met the second President of Kenya.”
He went on to serve at the Presidential Press Unit, between 1984 and 1991 where he had direct interactions with the then-president, enhancing his stature in Kenyan media circles.
Gained national recognition
The attempted coup followed by a warm embrace by Moi, raised Mbotela’s status to a national figure. He became a household name in the Kenyan media industry with his then-show ‘Je, Huu ni Ungwana?’ becoming among the country’s favourites.
Mbotela used the show to promote etiquette and moral behaviour in society.
After his stint at the Presidential Press Unit, he returned to KBC and was well-received by the fans and his show continued to be popular.
Helped him Navigate different administration
Mbotela managed to meet all five presidents since independence. He met the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1975.
“Mzee tapped my shoulder and it was the best thing that has ever happened in my life,” Mbotela recalled during a past interview.
The two rubbed shoulders when Kenyatta was returning to the country from Zambia, where Harambee Stars had won a football match.
Moi embraced him and even allowed Mbotela to serve under his administration.
His encounter with the late President Mwai Kibaki was brief. They only met during an end-of-year party in Mombasa.
With former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Mbotela managed to interact with him on various occasions. In one of his past interviews, he revealed meeting Uhuru when he was 17-year-old and their friendship grew throughout the years.
“He praised me for making good life commentaries for his late dad, and since then, we have known each other,” Mbotela said.
It is not clear if he ever met President William Ruto.
However, his humble demeanour helped him to freely navigate and interact with the different administrations without brushing shoulders.
Helped him become versatile
The 1982 incident helped shape Mbotela’s career and made him versatile. Other than just being a radio broadcaster, Mbotela got a chance to serve in government and helped coin narratives for the late Moi’s administration.
This helped him gain experience outside the newsroom.
After leaving the Presidential Press Unit, Mbotela went back to KBC with much-needed exposure which helped him take on different roles.
He served as a producer and announcer, solidifying his legacy in the Kenyan broadcasting scene. He proceeded to land different broadcasting roles including doing voice-overs, commercials and football commentary.
During his free time, Mbotela performed as a vocalist at social events in Nairobi which further endeared him to the fans.
Cemented his legacy
The 1982 attempted coup helped create an icon. His love for radio helped him come up with ‘Je, Huu ni Ungwana?’ for has been on air for over 50 years.
His show was referenced in various academic works and its influence in shaping societal norms. His unmatched skillset has also influenced other journalists to venture join the media industry like like Simon D’Souza and Steven Kumu Joho.
“Mbotela will fondly be remembered for the integral role he played on our radio stations — through the mentoring of young broadcasters,” President William Ruto described him in his tribute.
The documented impact of radio in Kenya is also partly credited to his early years of contribution and life-changing shows.
His unmatched influence further helped shape football commentary in the Kenyan media space.
The veteran broadcaster passed on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the age of 85.
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