Jeff Mwaura Koinange, popularly known as Jeff Koinange, is a Kenyan journalist working at Citizen TV as a news anchor and radio host at Hot 96 fm. Previously, he has worked with CNN, NBC News, Reuters TV, KTN, ABC News, and K24. In CNN, he worked as Logos Bureau Chief for around five years, after which he became the Network’s Senior Africa Correspondent in Johannesburg. He is the known author of the book titled ‘Through My African Eyes.’
- Jeff Koinange was born on the 7th of January, 1966 in Kiambaa village, in Kiambu county of Kenya. He is currently 56 years old as of 2022 and therefore celebrates his happy birthday with his family, friends, and workmates on the 7th of January every year.
- Koinange is the last-born child of Fredrick Mbiyu Koinange. His grandfather, Chief Koinange Wa Mbiyu was from the Gikuyu tribe, and he had six wives. Long before the declaration of the State of Emergency, Jeff’s father met Hilda Wambuyi Ngoima, whom he fell in love, and before he could pay her dowry; he was jailed and detained. Jeff’s father died of brain hemorrhage when his mother was 28 years old. After Jeff’s father died, his mother was left with the responsibility of raising Jeff and his siblings, namely Hilda Wanjiru, Phyllis Wangui, and Freddie Koinange.
- Jeff acquired his secondary education in Hospital Hill School in Parklands from 1972 to 19 74. He then transferred in 1975 to St. Mary’s and did his A-level there. Upon completion of secondary education, Jeff joined the College of Kingsborough Community in Brooklyn, New York, taking a course in Broadcast Technology and Management. Jeff received a scholarship to continue his studies at the Prestigious University of New York and graduated in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.
- Jeff worked as a flight attendant for Pan Am World Airways in 1986 immediately after his secondary education. His job as an attendant helped him discover his communication talent. He later resigned from the airline job to continue with his studies as journalism.
- In 1998, he worked with KTN News partly as a news anchor and partly as a Reuter’s Correspondent. In KTN, le was liked and loved with some people, but others disliked him because of his American Accent. He was appointed as Reuters West Africa Bureau Chief in Ivory Coast but later on, he moved to Johannesburg in South Africa, where he operated hi job.
- In 2001, Jeff moved to work with CNN as a Bureau Chief in Lagos, Nigeria. He started working with K24 TV, hosting a show known as ‘On the Bench’ in November 2007 up to December 2012.
- From January to August 2013, he worked with Arise television in Johannesburg, South Africa, and in September the same year, he returned to Kenya to resume his job as a Bureau Chief of East Africa till now.
- In 2013, He hosted the Talk SHOW, ‘Jeff Koinange Live on KTN TV from 10.00PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Jeff works at Royal Media Services and Nation Media groups as a news anchor, and show host. He anchors nightly news on Wednesday on the show, JKLive where he hosts renowned politicians and personalities and on Sunday on Weekend Edition alongside Victoria Rubadiri. Jeff also works as a show host at Nation Media station, Hot 96 as a show co-host alongside Nick
- Jeff married his first wife, a Panamanian woman called Sonya, in 1988. The marriage broke up in 1994 when Jeff caught his wife ready handed on the bed with another man. Although they parted, Jeff cannot forget how precious and loving Sonya was, and he takes her as a special woman ever found in his life.
- Currently, Jeff Koinange is married to Shaila Koinange, and the couple is blessed with one child called Jamal Mbiyu, born in 2007. Jeff met Shaila in 1986 when both of them went for an interview with flight attendants with the Pan Airline at Nairobi safari line. After parting with his first wife Sonya, he married Shaila in 1998, and they all live happily.
- Koinange was attacked in April of 2016 by the thugs who broke into his house at 2.00 AM in Kitusuru and stole several electronics. Before the police could arrive, the thugs had run away.
- Koinange was arrested alongside with a businessman called Tony Gachoka in May 2015. They were accused of neglecting to appear before the court magistrate after being arrested and later released on allegations of defying the law. Jeff’s arrest was as a result of involving in a dispute with Jimmy wanjigi, and Sani Mbui Wanjigi and Kwacha Group of Companies Limited. The dispute commence in March 2015 when the complainants raise their complaints against Jeff.
- Apart from his career as a journalist, Jeff has obtained much wealth from other sources like entrepreneurship. He has a Mercedes G Wagons which is worthSh.1.3 million. His recent total assets are worth $500000. He also owns a house located in Kitusuru and a curving for extraordinary imported Cuban Stogies, all totaling to $5000.
- Koinange is one of the richest journalists in Kenya. He has a net worth of $.40,000. His salary amounts to $500000 million every year.