Veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela has been sworn into a plum government job where he will work with the National Heroes Council.
Mbotela will work as a member of the National Heroes Council following his appointment in August.
The National Heroes Council’s mandate includes identifying, selecting and honouring national heroes.
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Chief Justice Martha Koome, who witnessed the swearing-in of Mbotela, said that it is through such ways that heroes can be recognized while still alive.
“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,” said Chief Justice Martha Koome, who witnessed his swearing-in,” said Koome in a Tweet.
Mbotela was appointed into the position on August 5 by the outgoing sports and culture cabinet secretary Amina Mohammed.
“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 part of Amina’s appointment notice.
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Mbotela has worked for the Kenyan media industry for over five decades, now famously known for his programme “Je, huu ni uungwana?” which is one of the longest-running radio programmes.
During the 1982 coup, Mbotela was held at gunpoint by to announce that President Daniel Arap Moi’s government had been overthrown.
Mbotela penned a yet-to-be-released book detailing the events that transpired on the fateful day in 1982 when soldiers picked him up at 4 AM to go and make the announcement.
