Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba made a noteworthy visit to the residence of the veteran broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela in Nairobi. The purpose of the visit was to inquire about Mbotela’s health and express appreciation for his contributions to the nation.
As per a statement from the ministry, CS Ababu Namwamba honored Mbotela by presenting him with the Hongera Award and a generous cash prize of Ksh.1 million in recognition of his significant contributions.
During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary and the legendary broadcaster, renowned for his iconic ‘Je Huu Ni Uungwana’ program, engaged in a heartfelt conversation, reminiscing about the bygone eras of radio broadcasting, particularly in the domain of sports commentary.
The statement stated, “CS Ababu expressed his gratitude to the broadcaster for his invaluable role in shaping radio broadcasting in the nation, emphasizing that Mbotela’s name is indelibly etched in the annals of our country’s history.”
The Sports Cabinet Secretary commended the venerable broadcaster for his pivotal role in nurturing and mentoring numerous journalists in the country, an enduring legacy that continues to influence the field to this day.
Notably, Mbotela had disclosed the origin of his iconic show, ‘Je Huu Ni Ungwana,’ around 56 years ago in an interview last year. During an appearance on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on October 19, 2022, Mbotela revealed that the famous slogan was conceived during a lunch outing at a prominent eatery in Nairobi’s central business district. He recounted how an incident in 1996, where a friend displayed discourteous behavior towards waitstaff, served as the catalyst for the program that has since been on the airwaves for over five decades.
