Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange has spoken out after facing criticism from Kenyans following a heated exchange between State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed and activist Morara Kebaso during a live interview.
The clash occurred on Koinange’s popular show, “JK Live,” where Kebaso made explosive claims that President William Ruto had offered him a government job in exchange for toning down his criticism of the government.
Hussein Mohamed, who was not scheduled to be part of the interview, called in live to refute Kebaso’s allegations, leading to a tense confrontation between the two.
The State House Spokesperson vehemently denied the claims, calling them a “figment of [Kebaso’s] imagination.” He also criticized Koinange for allowing Kebaso to make the allegations without demanding proof.
Following the interview, Koinange came under fire from some Kenyans who accused him of staging the call with Hussein Mohamed. Many took to social media to express their displeasure, with some even suggesting that the anchor was biased in favor of the government.
In response, Koinange broke his silence, clarifying that he had no prior arrangement with the State House Spokesperson. He stated that Hussein Mohamed’s decision to call into the show was entirely spontaneous.
“Sikuweka Hussein, aliingia tu kwa show, he just happened to call in,” Koinange said, emphasizing that he had no control over the situation.
Koinange also revealed that after the interview aired, many Kenyans reached out to him personally, expressing their anger and disappointment. Despite the backlash, the seasoned journalist defended his handling of the interview, asserting that he allowed both sides to present their views without bias.
He maintained that his role as a journalist is to provide a platform for different voices, even when the discussions become uncomfortable.
