The veteran broadcaster, who left a lasting mark on Kenya’s media industry, passed away peacefully in his hospital bed, and Jimmy vividly recalled being by his side during those last moments.
Jimmy explained that when he entered the hospital room to see his father, Mambo Mbotela looked up and extended his hand towards him.
"I put my hand in his and he held it and did not want to let go," Jimmy said, describing the connection between them.
He was soon asked by the nurses to step out of the room so they could attend to his father. Little did he know, this would be the last time he would speak to his father.
When Jimmy returned with his sister, they were both holding their father’s hands when Mambo Mbotela peacefully closed his eyes, and the machines flatlined.
Jimmy described the moment as peaceful, and in his words, “That was it; peaceful.”
It was a serene end to the life of a man who had contributed so much to the growth of Kenyan media.
However, in the wake of his passing, the family has faced backlash regarding the planned burial at Lang’ata Cemetery, a public burial ground in Nairobi.
Renowned figures like Fred Obachi Machoka have expressed frustration, stating that Mambo Mbotela deserves a more prestigious resting place.
Machoka voiced his discontent, arguing that national heroes should have their own dedicated resting places, calling for a Heroes Corner to be created for such influential figures.
In response to these concerns, journalist Yassin Juma clarified the situation.
He explained that Mambo Mbotela’s family has historical ties to Malawi, and the decision to bury him at Lang’ata Cemetery follows their family’s long-standing traditions.
Mbotela was a descendant of a freed slave, and his relatives have often been laid to rest in public cemeteries. Juma urged Kenyans to respect the family’s wishes.
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