Jeff Koinange's Biography, Age, Spouse, Tribe, Real Name, Networth and Lifestyle Wikidata | Claim this profile

Jeff Koinange's Biography in Summary

Jeff Koinange is a Kenyan journalist and host of Jeff Koinange live, a talk show on citizen TV since February 207. Jeff was born on 7th January 1966 in Banana Kiambu, Kenya. Jeff Koinange's father is Frederick mbiyu Koinange who was one of the sons of eminent Gikuyu tribes senior chief Koinange wa mbiyu. Jeff's father was the was the first Kenyan to own a petrol station and a car dealership in 1948. Jeff's grandfather had six wives. Jeff's mother was Hilda Ngoima, the first child to Mwaura wa-Ngoima from Githiga village in Githunguri. Jeff's father died 2 months after his birth.  Hilda Ngoima Koinange single - handedly raised Jeff and his three siblings Hilda, Wanjiru, Phyllis wangui and Freddie Koinange. Jeff is nephew to Peter Mbiyu Koinange, who was the first Kenyan to obtain a masters degree.

Jeff attended Kingsborough community college in Brooklyn, New York between 1987-1989 and graduated with an associate degree. He then joined New York university and received a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast journalism. 

Jeff Koinange was married to Sonya in 1988. Sonya was a Panamanian lady. She used to be Jeff's flight instructor. They got separated in 1994 for some personal reasons. Then he married Shaila Koinange a Kenyan of Asian origin. They are blessed with one son, Jamal Mbiyu Koinange.

Jeff Koinange worked as flight attendant in Pan Am airways in 1986 for almost one and a half years. He then worked as a reporter in ABC news from 1991 to 1992. Afterwards he also worked as a producer in NBC news in 1994. Then he went to Reuters television from 1995 to 2001 after which he became the first Kenyan journalist to be prominently featured on international television network through CNN. Some of the significant stories that Jeff made while in CNN include;crisis in Darfur, the civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone and the famine in Nigeria.  Hurricane Katrina crisis as well as the Iraq War. He worn the Emmy award for the story of famine. In early 2007, Koinange was assigned by the government of Nigeria for his work about movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta. In December 2007 Jeff was hired by K24 where he held capital talk show which hosted individuals from all walks of life including musicians, inspirational speakers, media personnel and people with unique stories to share. He was later hired by citizen in 2017.

Jeff Koinange is one of the highest paid radio as well as TV host in  Kenya. It is reported that that he pockets a six figure salary at the end of the month. Jeff is worthy over ksh 50 million. He owns a Mercedes Benz G- class that has a factory invoice of over ksh 10 million before tax.

Jeff Koinage wife

Jeff Koinange married Shaila Koinange, a Kenyan of Asian descent.Jeff prefers to keep his personal life private, so little is known about his wife.They have an infant son named Jamal Mbiyu Koinange, who was born late in their marriage.Before Shaila, Jeff was married to Sonya, a Panamanian.In 1988, he married the lady who served as their flight instructor.However, they split up in 1994 after he discovered her in bed with another man.However, the journalist still values Sonya, stating that she will be special to him for the rest of his life.He once described their affair as nonstop sun, sea, and sex.

Jeff Koinage Bio, Lesser Known Facts

Jeff Koinange earned an associate's degree from Kingsborough Community University in Brooklyn, NY.He attended college between 1987 and 1989.After winning a scholarship, he attended New York University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism.

Before graduating from Kingsborough in 1984, Jeff was chosen to work as a flight attendant alongside over 30 other Kenyans.PanAm Airlines, which no longer operates, provided them with eight weeks of training.After training, he became a steward.His baritone voice endeared him to passengers, who usually applauded his announcements. Jeff Koinange had no idea he could work in the media until he met a media personality on one of his flights. The passenger challenged him to use his voice professionally.

After graduating from New York University, Jeff Koinange worked for ABC and NBC. He worked for NBC in 1994 and ABC from 1991 to 2001. He also worked for Reuters from 1995 to 2001.

The Kenya Television Network was launched in 1992. Jeff Koinange was an early anchor for the country's first independent television network. In 1995, he began working as a part-time news anchor for KTN. At the time, he was already a Reuters correspondent in Nairobi. When he first started working at KTN, he received mixed reactions; some were put off by his accent, while others accepted him.

Jeff Koinange was named Reuters West Africa Bureau Chief in 1998. He was initially based in Ivory Coast but later relocated to Johannesburg. Jeff Koinange rose to international prominence after joining CNN as an African correspondent and the head of the West Africa Bureau. Koinange's stories helped to raise awareness about West Africa. He emphasized civil wars and corruption in the region. Jeff covered the Darfur conflict, civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and the Niger famine for CNN.

At CNN, Jeff collaborated with Anderson Cooper to cover the Niger famine, which was one of the most devastating in West Africa. Her series, "Starvation in Focus," highlighted people's plight, prompting immediate global responses. The series saved Nigerians from a potentially disastrous situation. The series won a TV Emmy and is regarded as one of Jeff's finest works.

Jeff Koinange's story about a doctor in Bukavu, Eastern Congo, who has assisted hundreds of sexually abused women is regarded as one of his finest achievements. A Congolese doctor ran a clinic that treated over 600 women, both young and old, who had been attacked by uniformed men. His story resonated strongly with audiences, and victims received the assistance they required.

While working for CNN in 2007, Jeff Koinange covered the Niger Delta Emancipation Movement (MEND). During the report, he was in the company of MEND guerrillas who had apprehended several Filipinos.
This report sparked widespread controversy and outrage, particularly from the Nigerian government, which claimed it was staged. CNN and Jeff, however, denied orchestrating the report. 2007 was a contentious year for Jeff Koinange. Marianne Briner claimed shortly after the Niger Delta report that he had an affair with a Swiss woman. This is probably one of the primary reasons for his departure from CNN.