Jeff Koinange is a renowned journalist and talk show host best known for hosting Jeff Koinange Live on Citizen TV.
He has a distinguished career, having served as CNN’s Africa correspondent from 2001 to 2007, where he covered significant stories like the Darfur crisis and Hurricane Katrina.
Koinange has won several awards, including an Emmy and a Peabody Award.
He is also an author, having published his autobiography Through My African Eyes in 2014.
Parents
Jeff’s parents are Frederick Mbiyu Koinange and Mary Mbiu, otherwise known as Nyina-wa-Munene.
Koinange made history by becoming the first African Kenyan to open a car dealership in 1948, coinciding with the establishment of the Cooper Motor Corporation (CMC) by Mr. Cooper.
In 1966, he further broke ground by opening Kenya’s first indigenous petrol station, the Koinange Petrol Station, in the Kariokor area of Nairobi.
Before these achievements, Koinange faced challenges, including a seven-year detention from 1952 following the declaration of a state of emergency.
He passed away in 1966 when Jeff was very young, just two months old according to some sources and two years old according to others.
Jeff’s mother, Mary, raised him in a humble background, emphasizing that the Koinange name should not be associated with wealth.
Early career
Koinange’s early career in journalism began with Reuters, where he worked as a reporter and correspondent from 1995 to 2001.
During this period, he covered various stories across Africa, gaining valuable experience and exposure to different cultures and news environments.
Before joining Reuters, Koinange worked at ABC News in New York.
This was after he graduated from New York University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
His time at ABC helped him develop foundational skills in journalism.
Interestingly, before becoming a journalist, Koinange worked as a flight attendant.
It was during this time that passengers encouraged him to pursue a career in journalism due to his charisma and communication skills.
Later career
Koinange’s most notable role was as CNN’s Africa Correspondent, a position he held from 2001 to 2007.
During his tenure, he covered significant international events such as the Darfur crisis, the famine in Niger, and Hurricane Katrina.
His work at CNN earned him prestigious awards, including an Emmy and a Peabody Award.
These achievements not only highlighted his journalistic prowess but also cemented his reputation as a leading international correspondent.
After leaving CNN, Koinange returned to Kenya and worked at K24 Television.
This marked his return to local media, where he continued to build his reputation as a skilled journalist.
Currently, Koinange hosts Jeff Koinange Live, a popular talk show on Citizen TV.
The show features interviews with influential figures from politics, entertainment, and more, providing in-depth insights into various topics.
In addition to his work on television, Koinange also hosts a breakfast show on Hot 96 FM.
