Je huu ni ungwana?: How Leonard Mambo Mbotela's famous phrase was born

The late Leonard Mambo Mbotela was best known for ‘Je, huu ni Ungwana?’, a catchphrase that was also the name of his much loved show on KBC radio and TV.

A legend in his own right, Mbotela, who died on February 7, 2025, easily had Kenya’s longest show. His career spanned more than five decades, as did the show.

Many know his face and even more know his voice. What many might know, however, is how that famous phrase came to be, “Je, huu ni ungwana?”

In a past interview with ‘The Standard’, Mbotela explained the unique, if slightly embarrassing, origin of the phrase that would make him a household name. He practically stumbled upon it one weekend.

“One weekend after work on a Saturday, we went to Panafric Hotel with colleagues and friends. This was a hotel for the prominent people, and this was a rare event for us. We were used to our local Karumaindo. So one of my friends got impatient and started banging hard on the table. He was trying to attract the waiter. I could see the shock on the patrons faces. And I was thoroughly embarrassed. And so I turned to him and asked, ‘Je, huu ni ungwana?’”   

Mbotela said it was a lightbulb moment for him.

In another interview two years ago, Mbotela said he discovered his talent early in life.

"Since I was in Kitui High School, I tended to disturb other students through my reading news from newspapers. They would be annoyed and would tell me to shut up. However, some told me I could make a very good broadcaster," said Mbotela

"One day my brothers heard me commentating in my room. They ran to my late mother crying saying; Mum, mum, Leonard amekuwa wazimu; anajiongelesha - Leonard has run mad, he is talking to himself," he told ‘The Standard’.