| Real Name/Full Name | Jeff Mwaura Koinange |
| Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | Jeff Koinange |
| Birth Place: | Kiambaa Village, Kiambu County, Kenya |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 7 January 1966 |
| Age/How Old: | 58 years old |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 165 cm In Feet and Inches – 5′ 4″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 70 Kg In Pounds – 154 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Parents Name: | Father – Fredrick Mbiyu Koinange Mother – Hilda Wambui Koima |
| Siblings: | Unknown |
| School: | Kingsborough Community College |
| College: | New York University |
| Religion: | Christian |
| Nationality: | Kenyan |
| Zodiac Sign: | Capricorn |
| Gender: | Male |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Wife/Spouse Name: | Shalia Koinange |
| Kids/Children Name: | Jamal Mbiyu Koinange |
| Profession: | TV Anchor and radio presenter |
| Net Worth: | $1 Million |
| Last Updated: | December 2024 |
Jeff Mwaura Koinange, popularly known as Jeff Koinange, is a Kenyan journalist and radio host. He is currently the host of the popular talk show on Citizen TV, Jeff Koinange Live, since February 2017. He also hosts another show alongside Professor Hamo at Hot 96 breakfast show, an English Station owned by Royal Media Services. He has been a judge at East Africa’s Got Talent since 4 August 2019, representing Kenya. He has worked with CNN and CNN International, K24, and KTN.
Biography and Early Life
Jeff Koinange was born on 7 January 1966 in Nairobi, Kenya with his actual name being Jeff Mwaura Koinange. He has not shared any information concerning his family background and his upbringing. His father died when he was two months old, and he credits his uncle, Mbiyu Koinange, for his role in his upbringing.
Education
Koinange received most of his education in the United States. He studied at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn from 1987 to 1989, where he graduated with an associate degree. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University.
After graduating, he worked for Reuters Television from 1995 to 2001 before joining CNN. He served as the chief producer of Reuters from 1999 to 2001. Earlier, he had worked for ABC News from 1991 to 1992, then a producer for NBC News in 1994.
Personal Life: Wife, Kids, Girlfriends, Family
Koinange has been married twice in his life. His first wife was Sonya Koinange. The reason behind their divorce is yet to be known. The exact time when they divorced is also not available. In 1998, he married Shalia Koinange, and together they have one son known as Jamal Mbiyu Koinange.
Is Jeff Koinange Gay?
No. Koinange has a straightforward sexual orientation. He has also not had any rumors of being gay or bisexual. As a matter of fact, he has married twice and has only one child, a son.
Professional Career
Koinange joined CNN in 2001 after leaving Reuters Television. He was the Africa correspondent for CNN and CNN International between 2001 and 2007. Most of his coverage was on matters of the crisis in Darfur, famine in Niger, and civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia. He won an Emmy award from this coverage. He also covered news outside Africa. He reported about the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina crisis in the U.S. and Iraq War.
Koinange was reprimanded by the Nigerian government in early 2007 following his coverage on Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND”. He reported that he had followed masked MEND guerrillas in a camp where they were holding several Filipino hostages. According to the Nigerian government, the report was “staged” although CNN denied. CNN announced on 29 May 2007 that Koinange no longer worked with them.
He joined K24 seven months after leaving CNN and began his transmission in Nairobi in December. He worked as a chief reporter at the station. He hosted Capital Talk Show while working with K24 until December 2012. He then worked with KTN for his branded program, Jeff Koinange Live. He had also worked for Arise Television Ltd, which is based in Johannesburg as the chief anchor. Since February 2017, he has been hosting a talk show at Citizen Television, Jeff Koinange Live.
In 2014, Jeff released his autobiography, “Through My African Eye,” which was published by Footprints Press Kenya. In the book, he describes his school days and his journey to becoming one of the most recognized journalists in Africa. Although he is a public figure, he has tried to keep his personal life private, and the book serves as a mirror to his life.
He has been representing Kenya as a judge in East Africa’s Got Talent which began on 4 August 2019. Other judges working together with him are Gaetano Kagwa, Vanessa Mdee, and Makeda.
Currently, Jeff Koinange is a news Achor in Citizen TV Kenya where he hosts the Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) show. This show is featured commenced being featured in Citizen TV in February 2017. Furthermore, he also co-hosts another breakfast radio show together with Professor Hamo in HOT 96.
Awards and Achievements
Koinange is one of the most recognized journalists in the whole of Africa. He has not only worked with local stations but also international ones like CNN. While working with CNN for his coverage in Africa for the crisis in Darfur, civil war in Liberia, and Sierra Leone, he became the recipient of the Emmy Award. Although he has not won a lot of awards, he is very famous not only in Africa but in other parts of the world.
Below are the listing of his awards:
- In 2005, Primetime Emmy Award for covering devastated faminie in West African nation of Niger
- 2006 got awarded The George Foster PeaBody Award for coverage of the Hurricane Katrina effects
- In 2006, he got wawarded also for the Vernon Jarrett Bronze Award being for the best feature on the Mass Rapes in Congo
- In 2006 he also got awarded again as e best-selling author in which he received the award for The Prix Bayeaux for War Correspondents.
- He was a finalist in the Diageo Awards for Business Reporting in Africa for both 06 and 2007
- In 2008, he got awarded with the Moran of the Order of The Burning Spear (MSP) due to his contribution in journalism.
Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Jeff Koinange in 2024
Jeff has earned his wealth through his journalism career. His estimated amount of net worth $1 Million. He can now afford to live a lavish lifestyle. He also owns several expensive cars.
He earns a salary of Kshs 2 Million equivalent to $20,000 in a month from the Royal Media Services where he is a news Anchor. In addition to his net worth, is the contribution he gets from other shows such as one featured in the Hot 96 Radio Show.
Some Interesting Facts You Need To Know
- He has a unique voice which many like imitating, including small children.
- He is very generous and likes giving back to society. He started an initiative in 2017 to develop and stock a library in Kibera Slums.
- He loves country music and has appeared together with the Kenyan singer Sir Elvis at various events, including the Country Road event at Thika Greens Golf Resort during an event in September 2019.
- Koinange, AG Paul Kihara and President Uhuru Kenyatta are related by blood. His father was an in-law to Jomo Kenyatta, while his aunt, Lilian Wairimu Koinange, is married to Obadiah Kariuki, an Anglican Bishop, and is the mother to Kariuki.
Jeff Koinange Social Media Platforms
Jeff Koinange has been active on social media platforms from which he has a following of more than 1.8m in his Twitter account, 931k followers on Instagram, and 813k on his Facebook account.
You can follow him from the following:
- Jeff Koinange Twitter Account
- Jeff Koinange Facebook Account
- Jeff Koinange Instagram Account
Jeff Koinange is one of the most popular TV and radio presenters in Kenya. At the beginning of his presentations, he has a popular phrase that even small children are familiar with. You can also hear small children imitating his voice as it is unique. He has worked with several local stations and has continued to carry his flag high at all times.