Why Kenyans Are Unhappy With Jeff Koinange After Uhuru Interview

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange pose for a photo in New York on Wednesday, October 13.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange pose for a photo in New York on Wednesday, October 13.
Citizen Digital

Kenyans have called out Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange over his choice of questions in an interview with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Wednesday, October 14, the acclaimed anchor hosted the Head of State on his JKLive show from New York, but his set of questions did not sit well with a majority of the viewers who faulted him of being too diplomatic in his approach.

The interview, which was held in New York City, centered majorly on Uhuru's role as President of the United Nations Security Council. 

Citizen TV anchor Jeff Koinange using an extinguisher during an interview on JKL in 2019.
Citizen TV anchor Jeff Koinange using an extinguisher during an interview on JKL in 2019.
Citizen Digital

The interview also addressed issues on climate change, the vaccination process, and his meeting with United States President, Joe Biden.

A section of Kenyans, however, noted that they had hoped that the seasoned journalist would ask questions on matters on national importance and that are pressing such as the ongoing security crisis in Laikipia county, the ever rising fuel prices, the early campaigns and total disregard of the Covid-19 containment measures by politicians, and the boundaries row with Somalia.

Other pertinent issues involved the fate of his legacy projects as well as his involvement in the leaked Pandora Papers that linked his family to multi-million shilling offshore accounts.

"Dear Jeff Koinange, that wasn't an interview. It was a brief encounter with President Uhuru Kenyatta. But thanks nonetheless for the exclusive."

"The interview did not leave up to its expectations."

"The unfortunate thing is there's nothing new he told us," read part of the comments.

Netizens took to social media to compare the interview to the international press which had put Uhuru to task over the Pandora Papers leak.

Alluding to the question, Uhuru defended his family against allegations that they had stashed billions in offshore accounts in Panama and the British Virgin Islands.

“As I said before, my name first and foremost is not there,” Uhuru responded.

Another section, however, lauded the Commander-in-Chief for his composure in articulating his words during the whole interview.

"Uhuru impeccably articulated current affairs while in New York," a user on social media lauded the President.

Uhuru on Tuesday, October 12, chaired the UN Security Council meeting and is set to have a meeting with his US counterpart Biden on Thursday, October 14. 

Among the issues set to be addressed include efforts to defend democracy and human rights, advance peace and security, accelerate economic growth, and tackle climate change, according to a statement released by White House spokesperson Jen Psaki .

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks to a delegation at United Nations office in New York on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks to a delegation at the United Nations office in New York on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
PSCU