Veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela is appealing for aid to clear an outstanding Ksh1.1 million hospital bill.
Leonard, a revered voice in radio and TV back in the day has been admitted at The Nairobi South Hospital.
The hospital’s Human Resource Manager Stephen Mutavi on Friday said that he was admitted on October 29, 2020, and has since been in the hospital receiving treatment.
Mutavi did not disclose what ailment Leonard was being treated for.
Now, he is due for discharge but the bill has accumulated to Ksh1.1 million.
“He is due for discharge Friday November 13, 2020 as per the doctor’s recommendations to continue with homecare treatment,” said Mutavi in a letter seen by Citizen.
“The medical bills have accumulated to Ksh.1,105,498.78 as of today and have to be cleared upon discharge. Any assistance given towards offsetting this bill will be highly appreciated,” the letter concluded.
Born in 1940, the Mombasa born journalist would join the Voice of Kenya in 1964. When it transitioned to become the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), he was still with the station until 1983 when he joined the late President Daniel Moi’s press unit.
He described Moi as a good man who he developed a close relationship with in his 10-year stint at State House as a team member of his press unit.
“One day I was alone very early in the morning in the office. President Moi was impressed that I was an early riser. He took me to his office, where we had a conversation face-to-face, and he asked me what I wanted from him,” he recalled in a past interview saying he was promised land and given Ksh100,000.
When he retired, his “Je huu ni ungwana” show relished his memories in the industry as he educated Kenyans on good morals.