KBC Veteran Journalist Sworn In After Getting Govt Job

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)'s veteran journalist, Leonard Mambo Mbotela, has been sworn in as a member of the Kenya National Heroes Council.

Chief Justice Martha Koome had on Monday, September 26 witnessed the swearing-in of the veteran broadcaster a month after he was appointed to join the council.

"Witnessed the swearing-in of Leonard Mambo Mbotela as a member of the National Heroes Council following his appointment last month," she stated in part. 

Veteran Journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela with CJ Martha Koome before being sworn in as a member of the National Heroes Council on September 26, 2022. /MARTHA KOOME

Koome explained that the role of the National Heroes Council is to identify and select national heroes to be honoured by the nation.

"The mandate of the National Heroes Council which includes the identification, selection and honouring of national heroes is an important one as our national story is largely the narrative of the contribution by our heroes to nation building.

"We can build a new culture and practice of identifying, celebrating and supporting our unsung heroes and heroines when they’re still with us. That is the only modest way through which we can show appreciation for their heroic acts," she added.

Outgoing Sports and Culture CS Amina Mohammed had appointed Mbotela to the position on Friday, August 5, one that he is expected to hold for three years.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (3) of the Kenya Heroes Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage appoints Leonard Mambo Mbotela as a member of the National Heroes Council, for a period of three years with effect from the 5th August, 2022”, read the Gazette notice at the time.

Mbotela's career spans more than 50 years, having been at Voice of Kenya (VoK) which was renamed KBC. After he joined in 1964, he hosted Je huu ni ungwana? which is one of the national broadcaster's oldest shows.

He retired in the late 90's but came back on air on both KBC TV and radio.

The radio personality was admitted at the Nairobi South Hospital on October 29, 2020, and his bill had accumulated to Ksh1,105,498.78

The 82-year-old encountered financial troubles in December 2020 before former President Uhuru Kenyatta settled his hospital bill without his knowledge.

"The Kenyatta family have been my friends for a long time and so when the president heard of my plea, he sent his aides to bring the money at the hospital in cash.

"I, however, did not know that he is the one that had settled the bills. It is only after I watched the 7 pm news when I learnt of the president's gesture," he narrated during a past interview on Churchill Show.

Veteran Journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela during his swearing in as a member of the National Heroes Council on September 26, 2022. /MARTHA KOOME