Voice of State (2026) Movie Script
This is BBC.
President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya
has passed away at the age of 84.
What fitting tribute can we pay
To a man who was the father to us all?
May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace.
Vice President, Daniel Arap Moi
Is expected to assume
the responsibilities of the presidency
In accordance with the Kenyan Constitution.
Dear listeners.
Its me, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice Of Kenya.
Dear listeners, thank you all very much
for your participation today.
For now, that brings us to the end of our program.
Thank you all very much
for tuning in.
Until next time
I've been your host, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Goodbye.
My brother
Mr. Wainaina himself, sound engineer.
How's it going, my brother?
Not much, I'm good.
wrapped up entertaining Kenyans today?
Just today?
Come on, I do this every single day.
Ah, come on, my brother.
You know what?
My wife...
My wife always thought
you were a really big guy.
And now?
After seeing you yesterday
She asked, "Is that really Mbotela?
That's not fair, my brother.
But, my brother blame the voice.
Blame your own voice.
But...
Most Kenyans trust that voice, right?
True.
And you know that's a rare gift, right?
Seriously my brother, I mean it.
You know some politicians
Spend their whole life
Trying to earn that kind of trust.
Infact...
You ought to run for Parliament
don't you reckon?
Come on, Wainaina. Me, in Parliament?
Yeah, why not?
Especially if you kick off your campaign with...
''KARIBUNI WASIKILIZAJI''
You'll have won before you know it.
Wainaina, you're something else!
You've got talent.
You're a people person.
People adore you
You and your Parliament talk...
You're my MP already. You've got my vote.
I left it in my room, man.
C'mon, man.
Make your move.
Like this government's gonna wake up tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
It'll wake up to us wrenching it by the balls.
JACKPOT!
Will you call me?
In just three days.
You sure you won't forget me?
My brother
I could never forget you.
I don't trust you one bit.
You know how it is.
Sometimes people leave
And forget the folks back home.
If I don't call in three days.
I'll write to you.
In three days brother.
II'll call.
You promise?
I promise.
You even want a pinky swear?
Yeah.
See?
You're already picking up on Western ways.
Alright then.
Leonard.
Leonard.
Have you heard that?
Thats probably...
Just the police chasing some crooks.
I don't think so.
Darling
We hear about things like this every day.
No, today's just unusual.
Darling, go back to sleep.
Leonard!
Have you heard that?!
Who's there?
Who's there? I'm asking!
I'ts Wainaina
Wainaina, this early?
What's going on?
Get back inside!
Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
It's you, isn't it?
Yeah.
You have three minutes
To get dressed.
We don't have time.
Can I ask where we're...
Don't ask me questions.
Hurry up!
My husband, what's going on?
I don't know... maybe the station?
Let me get dressed, okay?
It's alright.
Darling.
I don't know what's going on
But please pray for me.
I will.
Alright.
I love you.
I love you too.
No time. Let's go!
I'll be back.
Let's go!
Get In!
Take a seat!
What's this?
Broadcast it.
Now!
But frankly -
Now!
No questions!
Dear listeners.
Its me, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice of Kenya.
I am here with Mr. ...
Hezekiah.
Mr. Hezekiah.
Who is now the new President
Of the Republic of Kenya.
He has taken over the government
from President Daniel Arap Moi.
Give Ogidi a call.
Yes.
We've come too far to turn back now.
Okay.
Can I have some water?
Go get him some water.
Leonard.
My son absolutely adores you.
He's a very big fan.
Every morning, he wakes up.
Even before the sun rises,
He gets up.
Turns on the radio
Then cranks the volume all the way up!
I mean, he wakes up the whole house.
Sometimes I used to shout at him.
You!
Turn that thing off!
Or lower the volume!
But honestly
I was also listening to you.
Your son...
Has good taste.
But, that's not all I do here.
I know what you're thinking.
And what is that?
Why me?
Why did it have to be you?
Why not another presenter?
Why is it, Leonard Mambo Mbotela?
You know why?
Do you know why?
Your voice.
Your voice.
People Believe it.
They Trust it.
They even invite it into their homes.
Every morning.
And you know what...
That Voice.
Has just helped me take a country.
Tell me something, Leonard.
If a man is dying of thirst...
And another man
Has a glass of water
I mean the only glass of water.
Who has the power?
Is it the man with the water...
Or the man with the glass?
The man with the thirst, I mean!
You see...
When people talk about power.
They imagine guns!
Uniforms!
Or that portrait of 'mzee' over there.
But you see, real power...
Is on the man who decides
Who drinks
And who doesn't.
But you see...
The men in charge
They have decided
We cannot drink.
The system
Has decided we cannot use the wells.
We cannot drink the water.
So let me ask you something, Mr. Mbotela.
Do you mind if I call you Mbotela?
No problem.
Now let me ask you this.
If the system that controls the wells...
Decides
That the common man
An ordinary citizen.
Is not allowed to drink
From the same well they protect
What do you think the normal man should?
I mean, the common man.
Dig another well...
See, that's why I like you.
But you should also know this:
Some of us are not meant to lead.
Some of us are meant to follow.
And yet here you are.
Leading millions of people, every morning.
You just do it with words.
Instead of guns.
Sir! Sir!
The loyal forces are attacking us!
Which unit?!
Army Sir! Army Sir!
Tell Ogidi to hold them off, okay?!
And get me a line to Oteyo, okay?!
Remember what you're fighting for.
You're fighting for your Independence.
Your freedom.
Who are you?!
Come here! Get out!
On the ground!
Who are you?!
I am Leonard Mambo Mbotela!
Where's your ID?!
On your Knees!
Sir! it's -
Leonard Mambo Mbotela!
They almost shot the guy I've always wanted to meet.
Lower your weapon!
On your feet, Mbotela!
Mbotela.
We need you On-Air.
The country needs you.
Now!
Fellow Kenyans, dear listeners.
This is Leonard Mambo Mbotela once again.
With me here is Major General Mohamoud Mohamed.
And his contingent of soldiers.
He has asked me to tell you
To remain calm at your homes.
President Daniel arap Moi's government
Is still in power.
Thank You.
I'd like to say that
The events of
Earlier this morning, for a brief moment...
Caused widespread concern among the public.
It has now been put under control
By our army
And the police.
I sincerely thank them
For their efforts
In bringing those mutineers under control
Who caused
Widespread concern among the public.
Dear listeners...
I am Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice of Kenya.
I am here with Mr. Ochuka
Who is now the new President
Of the Republic of Kenya.
They have taken over the government
from President Daniel Arap Moi.
And that's how it unfolded.
President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya
has passed away at the age of 84.
What fitting tribute can we pay
To a man who was the father to us all?
May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace.
Vice President, Daniel Arap Moi
Is expected to assume
the responsibilities of the presidency
In accordance with the Kenyan Constitution.
Dear listeners.
Its me, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice Of Kenya.
Dear listeners, thank you all very much
for your participation today.
For now, that brings us to the end of our program.
Thank you all very much
for tuning in.
Until next time
I've been your host, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Goodbye.
My brother
Mr. Wainaina himself, sound engineer.
How's it going, my brother?
Not much, I'm good.
wrapped up entertaining Kenyans today?
Just today?
Come on, I do this every single day.
Ah, come on, my brother.
You know what?
My wife...
My wife always thought
you were a really big guy.
And now?
After seeing you yesterday
She asked, "Is that really Mbotela?
That's not fair, my brother.
But, my brother blame the voice.
Blame your own voice.
But...
Most Kenyans trust that voice, right?
True.
And you know that's a rare gift, right?
Seriously my brother, I mean it.
You know some politicians
Spend their whole life
Trying to earn that kind of trust.
Infact...
You ought to run for Parliament
don't you reckon?
Come on, Wainaina. Me, in Parliament?
Yeah, why not?
Especially if you kick off your campaign with...
''KARIBUNI WASIKILIZAJI''
You'll have won before you know it.
Wainaina, you're something else!
You've got talent.
You're a people person.
People adore you
You and your Parliament talk...
You're my MP already. You've got my vote.
I left it in my room, man.
C'mon, man.
Make your move.
Like this government's gonna wake up tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
It'll wake up to us wrenching it by the balls.
JACKPOT!
Will you call me?
In just three days.
You sure you won't forget me?
My brother
I could never forget you.
I don't trust you one bit.
You know how it is.
Sometimes people leave
And forget the folks back home.
If I don't call in three days.
I'll write to you.
In three days brother.
II'll call.
You promise?
I promise.
You even want a pinky swear?
Yeah.
See?
You're already picking up on Western ways.
Alright then.
Leonard.
Leonard.
Have you heard that?
Thats probably...
Just the police chasing some crooks.
I don't think so.
Darling
We hear about things like this every day.
No, today's just unusual.
Darling, go back to sleep.
Leonard!
Have you heard that?!
Who's there?
Who's there? I'm asking!
I'ts Wainaina
Wainaina, this early?
What's going on?
Get back inside!
Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
It's you, isn't it?
Yeah.
You have three minutes
To get dressed.
We don't have time.
Can I ask where we're...
Don't ask me questions.
Hurry up!
My husband, what's going on?
I don't know... maybe the station?
Let me get dressed, okay?
It's alright.
Darling.
I don't know what's going on
But please pray for me.
I will.
Alright.
I love you.
I love you too.
No time. Let's go!
I'll be back.
Let's go!
Get In!
Take a seat!
What's this?
Broadcast it.
Now!
But frankly -
Now!
No questions!
Dear listeners.
Its me, Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice of Kenya.
I am here with Mr. ...
Hezekiah.
Mr. Hezekiah.
Who is now the new President
Of the Republic of Kenya.
He has taken over the government
from President Daniel Arap Moi.
Give Ogidi a call.
Yes.
We've come too far to turn back now.
Okay.
Can I have some water?
Go get him some water.
Leonard.
My son absolutely adores you.
He's a very big fan.
Every morning, he wakes up.
Even before the sun rises,
He gets up.
Turns on the radio
Then cranks the volume all the way up!
I mean, he wakes up the whole house.
Sometimes I used to shout at him.
You!
Turn that thing off!
Or lower the volume!
But honestly
I was also listening to you.
Your son...
Has good taste.
But, that's not all I do here.
I know what you're thinking.
And what is that?
Why me?
Why did it have to be you?
Why not another presenter?
Why is it, Leonard Mambo Mbotela?
You know why?
Do you know why?
Your voice.
Your voice.
People Believe it.
They Trust it.
They even invite it into their homes.
Every morning.
And you know what...
That Voice.
Has just helped me take a country.
Tell me something, Leonard.
If a man is dying of thirst...
And another man
Has a glass of water
I mean the only glass of water.
Who has the power?
Is it the man with the water...
Or the man with the glass?
The man with the thirst, I mean!
You see...
When people talk about power.
They imagine guns!
Uniforms!
Or that portrait of 'mzee' over there.
But you see, real power...
Is on the man who decides
Who drinks
And who doesn't.
But you see...
The men in charge
They have decided
We cannot drink.
The system
Has decided we cannot use the wells.
We cannot drink the water.
So let me ask you something, Mr. Mbotela.
Do you mind if I call you Mbotela?
No problem.
Now let me ask you this.
If the system that controls the wells...
Decides
That the common man
An ordinary citizen.
Is not allowed to drink
From the same well they protect
What do you think the normal man should?
I mean, the common man.
Dig another well...
See, that's why I like you.
But you should also know this:
Some of us are not meant to lead.
Some of us are meant to follow.
And yet here you are.
Leading millions of people, every morning.
You just do it with words.
Instead of guns.
Sir! Sir!
The loyal forces are attacking us!
Which unit?!
Army Sir! Army Sir!
Tell Ogidi to hold them off, okay?!
And get me a line to Oteyo, okay?!
Remember what you're fighting for.
You're fighting for your Independence.
Your freedom.
Who are you?!
Come here! Get out!
On the ground!
Who are you?!
I am Leonard Mambo Mbotela!
Where's your ID?!
On your Knees!
Sir! it's -
Leonard Mambo Mbotela!
They almost shot the guy I've always wanted to meet.
Lower your weapon!
On your feet, Mbotela!
Mbotela.
We need you On-Air.
The country needs you.
Now!
Fellow Kenyans, dear listeners.
This is Leonard Mambo Mbotela once again.
With me here is Major General Mohamoud Mohamed.
And his contingent of soldiers.
He has asked me to tell you
To remain calm at your homes.
President Daniel arap Moi's government
Is still in power.
Thank You.
I'd like to say that
The events of
Earlier this morning, for a brief moment...
Caused widespread concern among the public.
It has now been put under control
By our army
And the police.
I sincerely thank them
For their efforts
In bringing those mutineers under control
Who caused
Widespread concern among the public.
Dear listeners...
I am Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
Your broadcaster here at Voice of Kenya.
I am here with Mr. Ochuka
Who is now the new President
Of the Republic of Kenya.
They have taken over the government
from President Daniel Arap Moi.
And that's how it unfolded.