Outrage over plans to bury Leonard Mambo at Lang’ata Cemetery

By Newsflash Reporter

The late celebrated Kiswahili broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela will be buried on Saturday, 15^th February, 2025 at Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi.

Family sources told Newsflash that the decision was reached following extensive consultations.

Mbotela died on Friday, 7^th, 2025, aged 85.

However, Kenyans have faulted the move to bury the celebrated journalist, saying it is wrong for a person of his stature to be buried in a cemetery.

“This is wrong. This is a legend who is even supposed to have a state burial. Burying him in a cemetery is greatly demeaning his status,” says Mary Makena on X.

For James Karisa, there should even be a national monument to honour Mbotela.

“I urge the government to intervene to ensure that the departed broadcaster is buried with the honour he deserves,” he said.

Ironically, Mbotela is a member of the National Heroes Council (NHC).

By going to press, no government official had issued a statement about the plans.