Kenyan radio presenter Jeridah Andayi has had an illustrious 24-year career in radio, dominating the airwaves on various platforms with her captivating presence and skill.
Her success, which she has since revealed, can be credited to veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela, who helped her find her footing in the career when she started at KBC.
She shared this revelation on her Instagram page while penning a heartfelt tributte to the late Mbotela who passed away on Friday, February 7.
Celebrating the life of Mbotela, the now US-based content creator also revealed that the late and her father were best of friends and it was through their bond that her passion for journalism would blossom.
Andayi met Mbotela when she was starting her studies at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). She recalled the day as being particularly special, as it was the rare occasion her father, who usually didn’t let his children ride in his car, drove her to school accompanied by Mbotela.
“My dad had a Toyota 100 or maybe 110 white in colour .My siblings and I only got a ride if it was your special day. Graduation mostly. My special ride in that car came before my graduation. Big win. I sat in the back. That’s where we sat, even if the passenger seat was empty. Because Dad.”
“We stopped by Harry Thuku road to pick my dad’s friend outside KBC. Then headed to South C. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, KIMC. My dad was loud. His friend was louder. They both laughed hard Belly laughter. That’s how the ride to KIMC was loud. Loads of laughter. Two friends. And a girl from the village,” she wrote.
The radio presenter shared that their friendship blossomed from that moment, with Mbotela playing a key role in helping her secure an attachment at KBC after her first year of studies. She mentioned how he would listen to her work, write notes for her to review, and guide her on areas to improve.
This continued throughout her career as she became more established, with Mbotela occasionally calling to discuss her progress and offer feedback.
“He’d leave me handwritten notes at the reception. Those notes were reviews of any shows I had done . What I needed to work on. Later on in my career, my dad’s friend would call. Randomly. To talk about my work. And to catch up. Some days, he’d offer lunch,” she added.
Andayi recalled how, during their lunch outings, people would often recognize Mbotela first. However, he always took the time to gush with pride over her accomplishments, which left her feeling undeserving, especially since he was the radio icon.
“People stopped by our table to say Hi. He’d loudly ask if they knew me. He’d say my name so loud it would attract attention,”Huyu ni Jeridah Andayi, mtangazaji maarufu Kenya nzima” Then he’d laugh so loud. Because of the irony in that statement,” she wrote.
The mother of three recalled how Mbotela would celebrate her with pride, referring to her as ‘Binti yangu’ (my daughter) or ‘Mtoto wa rafiki yangu’ (my friend’s daughter). She expressed her deep gratitude for his contributions to her career and wished him eternal peace.
