Piece by: Naomi Waweru

26 September 2022

. Mr. Mbotela was sworn in by CJ Martha Koome into the National Heroes Council.

. The National Council Board identifies,selects, recognizes and honours national heroes.

Famously known for his rhetorical and unique question, "Je huu ni ungwana" radio veteran Mambo Mbotela has been honoured and is now a member of the National Heroes Council board.

He has been a radio presenter at KBC Channel 1 and at KBC radio Taifa for 40 years since 1964.

He started as a sports presenter before he got his legendary show 'Je, huu ni ungwana?', a show which gained fame for how authentic the show was.

Among his pioneer shows are Uhalifu Haulipi , Ongea Lugha Sanifu and Waliosifika which he hosted all in Kiswahili, at the same time presenting news in Voice of Kenya before joining KBC.

His voice made him a member of the presidential press during the late president Moi's era for 7 years.

He got honoured as a Kenyan Hero on 5th August,2022 by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed when he was appointed into the National Heroes Council, a position he will hold for 3 years.

Today he became a board member of the 13 member council being sworn in at the Supreme court building by CJ Martha Koome.

The National Council Board identifies,selects, recognizes and honours national heroes, monuments, sites in Kenya and the diaspora.

Watch the video below;

In 1982, Mbotela became the voice most heard around the nation, as he reported about the attempted coup against the late president Daniel Arap Moi.

This prompted him to write a book about it which he penned last year where he talked of his harrowing experience.

He later returned to KBC after serving Moi and has remained a household name even after retiring in 1997 after being the chief editor for radio shows in KBC.

He is also known for his love for 'Zilizopendwa' tunes and various random appearances at local clubs.

He is also known for hi love for music something he noted would have been his career path instead of going into radio.