Leonard Mambo Mbotela, veteran journalist and renowned media personality, has died at the age of 85.
Mbotela, whose voice became synonymous with Kenyan radio and television, was not only a pioneering broadcaster but also a man with a deep love for music—a passion that shaped his life and career.
In her message of condolence, KBC Managing Director Agnes Kalekye praised his “passion, integrity and his commitment to excellence.”
“He dedicated his life to broadcasting, inspiring countless individual with his passion, integrity and his commitment to excellence,” she said. “Let us come together in honouring Leonard Mambo Mbotela’s remarkable legacy and the profound impact he had on all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Love for music
While many will remember Leonard Mambo Mbotela for his iconic voice and signature catchphrase – “Je, huu ni ungwana?”, his contributions to Kenya’s music culture are just as significant.
Born in 1940 in Freretown, Mombasa, Mbotela was raised in a musical household. His father, James Mbotela, was a respected musician and choirmaster, leading both Emmanuel’s Church Choir and the Mbotela Church Choir.
This early exposure to music had a lasting impact on Leonard, who once shared in an interview in 2012, that if he had not pursued broadcasting, he would have become a musician.
“You know, if I wasn’t on radio, I would have gone into music. My late father was a musician. He taught Charles Njonjo how to play the piano,” Mbotela recalled in the interview.
Despite not taking on music as a career, throughout his life, Mbotela found ways to keep music close to his heart.
Well into his later years, he was recorded performing with live bands, delighting audiences with his vocals.
In September 2024, he went viral on social media after a video surfaced of him singing “Embe Dodo” with the Maroon Commandos earning widespread praise and reminding many of his musical roots.
@marooncommandos0 Je HUU NI UNGWANA ‘LENARD MAMBO MBOTELA ON THE MIC WITH #BANDKUBWAYAWAKUBWA #marooncommandosband #uniformedpersonnel #viral #viralvideo JAMMING ZILIZOPENDWA.GREAT LEGEND AND ICON
Many of the comments on the video were positive, mostly wishing him well.
One user wrote, “Mambo Mbotela doing what he loves best, we love you age ain’t nothing but a number keep enjoying.”
The Maroon Commandos who shared the video also wrote, “Mzee is having fun. It is good to enjoy life and it’s good for his health. He’s not doing it for money bt just fun n enjoyment (sic). Lets appreciate our legend.”
Music on the Airwaves: KBC and “Je Huu Ni Uungwana?
Mbotela’s love for music also found its way into his legendary career at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
He joined the station, then known as the Voice of Kenya, in 1964 becoming the voice behind countless radio programs, but none more iconic than “Je Huu Ni Uungwana?”, a show he created in 1966.
The program, which asked listeners to reflect on good manners and social etiquette, was often enriched by music. Mbotela used songs to reinforce the show’s messages, sometimes selecting Swahili classics that aligned with themes of morality and respect. His deep, commanding voice paired perfectly with the music, creating a broadcast experience that was both educational and entertaining.
In a 2018 interview, Mbotela said that his show had proved to be a catalyst for change in people’s lives.
“What I hope to accomplish before I die is just to continue doing what I’m doing, teaching people good behaviour. I have met people who have told me that my show, ‘Je Huu Ni Uungwana?’ has made them change their habits. That is good enough for me.”
Mbotela also championed traditional Kenyan and East African music on KBC, now popularly known as Zilizopendwa, ensuring that local sounds remained at the forefront of national radio. He believed that music was more than just entertainment—it was a cultural archive and a way to preserve history and values.
Mourning his loss, the KBC Radio Programmes Manager called Mr Mbotela a cherished member of the KBC fraternity.
“Mzee Leonard Mambo Mbotela was a cherished member in the KBC Radio Department. Even after his retirement, he continued to inspire audiences through his iconic programme, “Je, Huu ni Uungwana?” Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
