News anchor and TV host Jeff Koinange’s father, Fred Mbiyu, goes down in history as the first Kenyan to ever own a petrol station.
The then 41-year-old politician opened Koinange Petrol Station in Kariokor area in 1966 – but he unfortunately died the same year.
Although the petrol station was later sold by the Koinange family, it still retained the same name.
Prior to this venture, Mbiyu had already made history as the first Kenyan to own a car dealership.
Some 18 years before his death, Mbiyu had opened his own car dealership at a time when Mr Cooper was bringing CMC Motors to Kenya.
Career
Mbiyu was the Kiambaa MP from 1963 to 1979 when he was unseated by Njenga Karume.
During this 16-year tenure, Mbiyu served in several roles including Minister of State for Pan-African Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Education.
Mbiyu also served as Minister of State in the Office of the President for 13 years from 1966 to 1979.
Personal life
Mbiyu was married to Hilda Wambui Ngoima who was the first child of Mwaura wa Ngoima, a rich farmer from Githiga village in Githunguri.
Mbiyu was at first in love with Hilda’s sister and he had even paid her dowry but he was arrested before the customary rites were finalized.
Following his arrest, Hilda’s sister could not wait and while Mbiyu was incarcerated, Hilda’s sister ran away with another man.
Hilda then began writing him letters, and although first it was a bit awkward, it was not long before their friendship blossomed into a romance.
She would then begin visiting him in prison.
The two got married once Mbiyu was out of prison but he unfortunately died from brain haemorrhage some two months after the birth of their son, Jeff Koinange.
Hilda then brought up Jeff and his siblings single handedly while working as a teacher.
Jeff Koinange’s success
Jeff has grown to become one of the most sought afte media personalities in Kenya with several awards and accolades.
The 58-year-old currently hosts the Jeff Koinange Live talk show on Citizen TV and previously hosted a morning show on Hot96.
Additionally, Jeff was a judge representing Kenya at the new East Africa’s Got Talent in 2019.
He has previously served as the Africa correspondent for CNN and CNN International, and later as chief reporter at K24 TV.
Jeff also worked with KTN on his branded news program, Jeff Koinange Live.
He had earlier served as the chief anchor of Africa for Arise Television Ltd based in Johannesburg.
Jeff also has an autobiography, Through My African Eyes, which was published in 2014.