MCA wants Juja Road named after legendary broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela

A Nairobi County Assembly member has tabled a notice of motion seeking to honour the late radio guru Leonard Mambo Mbotela by renaming of Juja Road after his name.

Kiamaiko MCA Joseph Ndung’u said the renaming of Juja Road will serve as a symbolic and practical gesture of gratitude to Mbotela.

“The renaming of Juja Road will permanently honor the late veteran broadcaster, cementing his legacy as a distinguished Kenyan journalist, broadcaster, and patriot who made indelible contributions to the nation through his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to public communication,” Kiamaiko MCA Joseph Ndung’u said in his notice, which is set to be discussed this week.

“Plastering his name on the major road would be upholding professionalism and consistency in using journalism to serve public interest, educate and entertain,” he added.

“His iconic radio and television programmes, particularly Je, Huu ni Ungwana? and his coverage of national events played a pivotal role in shaping Kenyan culture, promoting civic responsibility, and fostering national unity,” he added.

This comes months after the iconic personality died in February this year, aged 85.

He is remembered for his trailblazing career spanning decades, during which he became a familiar voice and face in Kenyan homes through his radio and television broadcasts.

He became popular because of his long-running programme, Je, Huu ni Ungwana? (Is this decent?), which focused on etiquette, civic duty, and moral behaviour.

The show, broadcast both on radio and television, left a cultural imprint and became synonymous with his name.

During the 1982 attempted coup, when he was picked up at his house in Ngara, ferried to the Voice of Kenya (VoK) now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and coerced by rebel soldiers to announce a change of government.

Juja Road is one of Nairobi’s key traffic corridors, linking various densely populated neighbourhoods.

If passed, the motion would task the county executive under Governor Johnson Sakaja with initiating formal renaming procedures, marking a significant milestone in the country’s recognition of media professionals in national heritage.