Broadcaster Mambo Mbotela is alive and well

Veteran radio broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela on Saturday received the biggest reason yet to ask “je huu ni uungwana?” after a section of internet users declared him dead while, in actual fact, he was relaxing at home.

Mr Mbotela, most known for his Je Huu Ni Uungwana? show on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s radio and television platforms, was a talking point in social media platforms on Saturday morning after people started a rumour that he was the latest victim of the Grim Reaper that seems to be working on overdrive this July, with four prominent personalities having died in a span of two weeks.

AS FIT AS A FIDDLE

Like the proverbial lie that travels halfway across the globe while the truth dresses up, the rumour gained much ground — with “rest in peace” messages bombarding the internet — before Mr Mbotela confirmed that he was as fit as a fiddle.

Following Mr Mbotela’s clarification, controversial blogger Cyprian Nyakundi at 10.28 am posted a tweet to apologise for having been among those who first posted about the “death”.

At 4.40pm Saturday, Mr Mbotela called the Nation, seeking to put the rumours to rest.

FAINTED

“I am alive and well. I have received more than 90 calls and many messages since morning of people trying to find out if I was indeed alive.

My family members at the coast are deeply distressed. I am even told one of them fainted on hearing the news,” said Mr Mbotela.

The long-serving presenter at the national broadcaster, who called from his house in Nairobi’s Dam Estate, said Kenyans should not worry.

“I am alive and well and there is no cause for alarm,” he said.