Veteran journalist and broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela passed away on Friday morning at the age of 85 his family confirmed.
Since the news broke, Kenyans have continued honouring and paying tribute to Mr Mbotela’s legacy. The KBC fraternity was among the first to share messages of condolences and by articulating how profoundly he shaped Kenya’s media landscape.
Among the many who have paid tribute to him is Zipporah Alal, a Senior Television Programmes Officer and former News Anchor at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
In a heartfelt message, Ms Alal reminisced about Mbotela’s invaluable mentorship during the early days of her career. She described him as a guiding figure who not only encouraged her to persevere but also took a personal interest in refining her news presentation skills.
“Leonard Mambo Mbotela was one of my mentors when I began my career in the newsroom as a young sports journalist and later, news anchor and editor. He encouraged me to press on with courage, even in the face of criticism from some detractors in the industry. With fatherly love, he would correct my news presentation, always reminding me that his goal was to see me excel in my career,” she shared.
Ms Alal also reflected on the privilege of celebrating Mbotela’s 84th birthday in June 2024, which turned out to be his final one. She fondly recalled purchasing a personally signed copy of his book, chronicling his life and contributions to journalism.
“His guidance, along with that of other greats, was a daily learning experience that shaped my journey. I am honoured to have been among the colleagues who celebrated his 84th and final birthday, where I also had the privilege of purchasing his book on his life and journalism journey—personally signed by him,” she added.
Mbotela, known for his signature phrase “Je, huu ni Uungwana?” was a pioneer in Kenyan journalism, inspiring generations of broadcasters. Ms Alal words were also echoed by President William Ruto. In his tribute, the President recognised Mr Mbotela’s mentorship saying he had played an integral role in radio.
“Mbotela will fondly be remembered for the integral role he played on our radio stations- through mentoring of young broadcasters,” the President said in part.
“May this Iconic journalism legend rest in peace,” Ms Alal’s tribute concludes.
