Royal Media Service’s Jeff Koinange is one of Kenya’s top broadcast journalists what with his international experience at CNN and Reuters, some of the well-known global media agencies.
However, a media monitor has assessed his performance in the recent past and is proposing that the veteran leave the stage when the applause is at its peak.
Just like some scholars have said that journalists can sometimes feel more important than bank presidents, some of Jeff’s friends are well-known executives across sectors.
Indeed, in Kenya among Jeff’s buddies are captains of industry, including Joshua Oigara (Stanbic Kenya and South Sudan CEO), the late Bob Collymore who was Safaricom CEO, Barat Thakrar who headed Scangroup, Patrick Quarcoo—the then Radio Africa chief executive— politician-cum-businessman Peter Kenneth, and Aly Khan Satchu of Rich Management. This group calls itself the Boys Club.
The celebrated broadcaster has risen to a status of an inimitable professional whose interviewing skills drew listeners to JKLive, his weekly programme on Citizen TV Kenya where he has been for years. He is also a presenter on Hot 96, a sister radio station of Citizen, the leading TV station in Kenya.
Perhaps egged on by social media lamentations that, among other calls, have boldly asked Jeff Koinange to leave the stage and assume lighter duties at the SK Macharia-owned media house, the publication has joined the calls for the award-winning broadcaster to get a different role.
The Media Observer, a weekly published by the Media Council of Kenya, has perhaps found merit in the social media concerns and have carried a review on the same in its July 14, 2025 edition.
Honouring Jeff, 59, as a “rare talent” who has never been a passive anchor, the publication now says he is starting to falter. “[O]ver the past years, a quieter conversation has grown louder about Jeff’s stamina.”
It says his fans have vented on social media, citing the broadcaster’s “slurred intros, fumbled scripts, and visibly strained news reading.”
The Observer samples some of the concern posts, namely “Was Jeff tipsy on air?” or “He’s struggling to read the news. His speed and acumen have reduced.” Or, “Anytime I tune in, he’s making blunders on live TV”.
The MCK publication says the fans’ voices are “not just criticism; it’s concern”. It reiterates: “The truth is, nobody wants to see a legend become a shadow of himself. The discomfort isn’t rooted in dislike, but in loyalty.”
Although the concerns may be exaggerated or unfair, it says when they become common, even normal slip-ups can be unsettling. And, it adds, it becomes necessary to start asking about how to pass the mic to the next generation of talent “who can retain the legacy of long-running programmes while bringing in a fresh perspective.”
At “only 59” and 33 years of experience, the weekly publication says Jeff still has a role to play in the media, but just like top athletes it may be time to “hang up his broadcasting boots” and transition into management or advisory roles.
Across the world, international media houses have some of the highest concentrations of veterans—among them CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer— who listeners and media monitors rely on for in-depth assessments and analysis of events, happenings, and trends.
In Kenya, veterans, some having started journalism ahead of Jeff, have run broadcast programmes and continued to write reviews for newspapers. Among them are the late Mutegi Njau, Business Daily columnist Jaindi Kisero, Macharia Gaitho, and Peter Mwaura, the former public editor at Nation Media Group.
Perhaps JKLive is already taking that direction of succession with Ayub Abdikadir taking a growing role on the programme as a co-host.
At a time, the younger generation is stirring up the political scene in Kenya, the Observer is proposing that the media landscape make room for Gen Z voices “while revering the old”.
It says “icons like Jeff can help guide this shift by steeping back with intention and taking on lighter duties.”
While Jeff’s legacy is not in doubt, the media observer says seasons come and go and it is likely the time for the show host to leave the stage.
Apart from awards, Jeff has authored a book, Through My African Eyes.
By A Plain
