Jeff Mwaura Koinange MBS, born January 1966, is a veteran Kenyan journalist. The New York University broadcast journalism alumni is a former St. Mary’s School and Kingsborough Community College student.
He is currently the host of Jeff Koinange Live, an interactive news bulletin and talk show where he hosts politicians and newsmakers. He has been a highly ranked Royal Media Services (RMS) employer since February 2017. Previously, he was a radio host, on HOT 96, alongside Nick Odhiambo, a Citizen TV sister station.
Career at CNN
He gained widespread recognition during his six-year tenure as CNN’s Senior Africa Correspondent from 2001 to 2007. He reported on major events across Africa, including the civil war in Liberia and the crises in Darfur and Sudan.
In addition to his focus on Africa, Mr. Koinange has also reported on issues from outside the continent like the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, and the post-war situations and elections in Iraq the same year.
He later had a five-year stint as a chief reporter on Kenyan TV at K24 from 2007 to 2012. Standard Media Group poached him, where he presented his branded news program, Jeff Koinange Live.
In his previous assignments, he was the chief anchor of Africa for Arise Television LTD based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Salary
The former CNN news anchor is one of the highest-paid journalists in Kenya. Latest reports that he could be earning to the tune of Kshs 2 million, arguably one of the highest-paid journalists in Kenya. His basic salary is said to be several thousand shy of Kshs 1.5 million, a wardrobe allowance, and other allowances of almost half a million.
His Lowkey Family
He is the grandson of Mbiyu Koinange, a very senior chief in the colonial days. His parents are Fredrick Mbiyu Koinange and Hilda Ngoima. Jeff lives lavishly in Kitisuru, a well-kept secret home, except for a few insiders who had the chance to visit his home. He is living large with his wife Shaila, a limelight-shy beautiful woman, and his handsome son, Jamal Mbiyu.
Fun Facts About Jeff
- He rolls imported Partagas Series D Cuban Cigars estimated at over Ksh 500,000.
- He cruises in a Mercedes Benz G-Class ride that has a showroom invoice of over KSh10 million before tax.
- His father, Frederick Koinange, was the first Kenyan to own a petrol station and a car dealership back in 1948.
- Peter Koinange, his nephew, was the first Kenyan to get a Masters degree.
- He was a judge at East Africa Got Talent, alongside Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee and Uganda’s Gaetano Kagwa. It premiered in August 2019.
Awards and Accolades
The veteran journo has been recognized with numerous awards for his extensive work. He won a Television Emmy in 2005 for his coverage of the devastating famine in Niger, making him the only Kenyan journalist to have ever received this honor. He also won the George Foster Peabody Award in 2006 for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, he received the Prix Bayeaux for War Correspondents for his reporting on the civil war in the Congo.
Jeff Koinange Net Worth
Back in 2018, in a social media post, a fan inquired about his net worth, and Jeff did not hesitate to answer him. He revealed that he had over KSh 50 million ( approximately $390K). That was six years ago so you can imagine the number could have doubled by now.
Trusted sources estimate him at around Kshs 500 million of net worth. He has interests in real estate and moving assets. In addition, Jeff has brand endorsements, dividends, and shares in some of the biggest companies in Kenya and abroad.
