Legendary broadcast journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela has been eulogised as a disciplinarian and a virtuous person by his family in Mombasa.

The celebrated radio personality breathed his last on Friday morning after about 60 years in broadcast journalist (radio and television).

The late renowned journalist was catapulted to a celebrity during the 1982 coup attempt and was a household name in the country because of his Je, Huu Ni Ungwana radio programme started in airing in 1966 to the time he quit the airwaves when his health began to deteriorate.

Younger brother of the fallen broadcaster, Donald Mbotela, says they knew their brother had been indisposed for the last two weeks and had been admitted at the Nairobi South Hospital.

He said that when his condition improved he returned to Mombasa after taking care of him for, but on Thursday his condition deteriorated leading to death the following morning.

“We are shocked; we didn’t expect it. We left him when his condition started improving on Thursday. We didn’t expect his untimely demise. He was suffering from low blood pressure and doctors said his age contributed to his poor health,” explained Donald Mbotela during an interview with journalists at his home in Changamwe, Mombasa.

He described his late brother as a disciplinarian, a trait of character that manifested in his popular radio – later television – programme, Je, Huu Ni Ungwana?

“He was fond of giving us impactful advice; he also liked to know how his kin were doing in Mombasa,” said Donald.

The only surviving brother of the late Mbotela will join friends and relatives in Nairobi for burial preparations.

“He spent all his life in Nairobi. When we meet, we will decide whether we will bury him in Nairobi or Mombasa,” Donald said.

Mary Mbotela described her late brother-in-law as a sociable person who disliked indecent conduct in society.

“I will remember my elder uncle as kind and generous, but what stands out is that he was a jovial person,” said James Mbotela, nephew of the veteran broadcaster.

Speaking separately, Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, condoled with the Mbotela family describing him as famous who was adored by many in the country and was active up to his last days.

“We appeal to the government to look after the family and assist in burial arraignments,” Mwinyi said.

• A Tell KNA report / By Sadik Hassan