Mambo Mbotela ‘my wife, my anchor’

Pregnant staff writer Elizabeth Ombati cannot help but marvel at Leonard Mambo Mbotela as he narrates his life and times. This he does with ease, with details at his fingertips. His is a journey that has spanned several decades of broadcasting, with rich memories kept in the confines of his heart.

Above all, he is a family man who respects and loves his wife deeply. What does he have to say about pregnancy and his experiences as a father?
On the morning of August 1st 1982, as Leonard Mambo Mbotela went on air with the unexpected shocking news that the government had been toppled, all that was rushing through his head was the safety of his family. The only words he had been able to tell them as he was marched out of his house at gunpoint was to pray.
And now almost three decades later, Mambo talks about his family, the pillar of strength that saw him through those tumultuous days when he thought his life had come to an end. And happy he is to tell about the precious people in his life.

“This quest is deep, because it is from the depths of my heart.” says Mambo. For a man who never declares his age, these are words full of meaning. And just like a grandchild listens to his grandfather narrate the heroic deeds of past years, our writer’s ears are open, ready to hear this veteran journalist’s invaluable story. Who knows? He may get to reveal his age in the process.

My heaven-sent wife, Alice Mwikali
‘I came to Nairobi in the year 1964 and joined the then East African Standard as a linotype operator cum trainee reporter. This saw me garner experience In the media from where I was able to join the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation then known as Voice of Kenya. It is then that I thought of starting an interactive programme targeting young people and the famous programme. Salamu za Vijana was born. The programme turned out to be very popular and unknown to me, more good tidings were on the way.
The programme used to attract numerous responses from the audience and as would be expected, girls were also diehard fans. I got requests through letters and some adventurous youngsters even sent me love letters. I was happy that the new programme I had started was making it big out there, but then the best was yet to come. Alice Mwikali. my wife to be soon came along.
As one of my listeners, she expressed interest in meeting this young man with a heavenly voice. I did not hesitate in giving my answer back. Yes. I would meet her. I have never understood why I chose to meet her because there had been numerous similar requests from other ladies, but it is Alice that my heart settled on meeting. Alice made it to Nairobi from Machakos right on time. She was a beauty. On meeting her. I saw a wife. I knew she was the woman of my dreams and I could already visualize the three children I had always wanted. I was going to have them with her! One thing though—I realized I needed to give her time to finish high school before my dreams could be fulfilled.
However a surprise awaited me. My parents had already chosen a girl for me to marry. I had made up my mind nevertheless. If I cannot marry Mwikali. then I will never marry. I told them. My parents knew better and after meeting her, they gave me the go-ahead.

Wedding bells
I walked Alice down the aisle on the 26th of June 1970. I was the happiest bachelor turned married-man on earth. My fans, colleagues and well wishers attended my wedding in droves and that really humbled me. ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife.’—the sweetest words a man in love wants to hear. A chapter had been opened in my life. I was now a married man. I was 30.

Duty calls—my first baby
As a journalist, many things are bound to happen. Every day is totally different from the other. Today you are in the country, tomorrow you are out on an assignment in Malaysia. When my wife announced to me that she was pregnant. I knew it was a blessing. I did all I could in my capacity to ensure she had a successful pregnancy.
Then duty came calling. I was to go to Great Britain for a broadcasting course that was to take two months. The day I was to travel was the day my first born. Jimmy, was born. I would not get to witness his birth. I went through a mixture of emotions—whether to focus on my job or whether to be present at my child’s birth. I chose the former, albeit regretfully.

A new father
I compared notes with my friends who were fathers and they gave me invaluable advice on how to be a good daddy. ‘Do not leave missus alone.’ some said.
‘No going to boogy till late hours.” others added and still some more constructive advise: ‘Learn how to clean the nappies.’ I smiled because all this I was going to learn. I was determined to be the greatest father.

My second child—on the dance floor
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. I was whiling away time in a pub, dancing to oldies. It had been two years since my first child and I was coping well with fatherhood. My missus had indicated that her time was not near. I knew that number two would not be joining us that soon. The call from Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) startled me because I was off duty. Of course they knew where to find me on Sunday afternoons.
The news was relayed in warm happy voices which gave me the reassurance that Alice was alright. I asked a friend to accompany me to the hospital and there I saw the most beautiful baby in the world. Aida, my first and only daughter, was born. I wanted to talk to her, to share a laugh with her. I wanted to apologise to her that when she was struggling to come to earth I was boogeying.

‘I compared notes with my friends who were fathers and they gave me invaluable advice on how to be a good daddy’

‘I was involved in all my wife’s pregnancies, from the first to the last. I helped her in household chores…
I also accompanied her to the clinic…’

My third child—viewing television
The third time round was different altogether. We had taken a break of ten years and were now on the last lap. We had agreed on having three children. On the D-day, my wife informed me that she was due and I drove her to the hospital. As the midwives assisted her, I left for home and went to watch television. I knew the midwives were doing their work. I could not accompany my wife to the delivery room: I would be scared for her. All I wanted was to be called to receive my new born. The phone call finally came. George had arrived.
I rushed to the hospital and held my boy, my last born, in my hands.

On pregnancy
I value women who take good care of their pregnancy. There is a time I saw a pregnant lady who was in a very tight dress, and I thought that was not healthy.’

The pregnant experience
I was involved in all my wife’s pregnancies, from the first to the last. I helped her in household chores every time she was pregnant and I also accompanied her to the clinic whenever I could make it. I would enjoy touching the bulging tummy, putting my arms around it and talking to the baby inside. I wanted bonding to start early. Thankfully, all her three pregnancies were trouble free. As a working parent, it is only natural to spend long hours away from family but other than hiring a house help I ensured that I spent quality time with my children. When not working. I would ensure I imparted a lesson or two to my children and also give a helping hand to my wife.

My wife
My wife has always worked as a business woman. It has been almost four decades now. That she was sent from heaven is what I keep telling her. She lives a simple and quiet life, which she loves. She understands that her husband is a public figure and Is used to it.

About the coup
My family kept me going. I knew that I would eventually go back to their comforting arms. And as I co-operated with the coup plotters. I knew my sunshine was at home, awaiting my return. This is an experience I will never forget.

To the younger generation
I feel hurt whenever I hear about abortion. Children are a gift from God and it is wrong to engage in premature sex only to end up procuring an abortion. It is the worst crime any human being can do; a disservice to another soul.

END: PG18/18-21