NAIROBI, Kenya — Veteran Kenyan broadcaster Jeff Koinange has announced plans to launch a new podcast titled Off The Record, signalling a strategic shift into the rapidly growing digital media space.
In a video circulating on social media, the award-winning journalist said the move follows sustained requests from audiences urging him to create long-form content outside traditional television.
“A lot of you have been asking when I’m going to start my own podcast? Guess what? We are coming soon on YouTube. We are calling it Off The Record. And we are going to interview personalities, musicians, and artists. These forks will be telling us their stories. Starting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, we will be rolling out… Tell a friend to tell a friend,” Jeff said.
The podcast is expected to feature in-depth interviews with public figures across entertainment, culture and public life, positioning it within the global trend of personality-driven digital storytelling.
Koinange’s journalism career began in the early 1990s following his broadcast journalism studies at New York University. Early assignments included roles at ABC News and NBC News, where he gained experience covering international stories.
He later rose to continental prominence as an Africa correspondent for CNN between 2001 and 2007, reporting on major events including conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Darfur crisis and famine in Niger. His work earned international recognition, including becoming the first African journalist to win an Emmy Award.
Upon returning to Kenya, Koinange joined K24 TV, then KTN where he hosted Capital Talk, before moving to Royal Media Services.
At Citizen TV, he hosts the flagship talk show Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) while also anchoring a breakfast programme on HOT 96 FM.
Podcast move sparks speculation
The announcement has prompted online speculation about whether the veteran presenter could be preparing to step back from television. Some social media users suggested the podcast might signal an eventual shift toward independent content creation, although no official confirmation has been issued regarding his future at Citizen TV.
The speculation follows Koinange’s temporary absence from screens in 2025 before his return in December, after which viewers noted a more conversational and experimental interview style.
Also Read: The podcast takeover: Why radio is losing young audiences
Digital creator Oga Obinna commented on the change, praising what he described as a more relaxed on-air persona.
“I’m loving the new Jeff, he is living his full life, like now, he is at the point of experimenting. He is trying things on the show, the things he is saying. This time, he is just letting it rip….,” Obinna said.
Traditional media figures pivot to podcasts
Koinange’s entry into podcasting reflects a broader shift in the media industry, where established broadcasters are leveraging personal brands to build direct audiences on platforms such as YouTube and audio streaming services.
Podcasts allow longer, less scripted conversations and offer revenue opportunities through sponsorships, branded content and cross-platform distribution. For high-profile journalists, the format also provides editorial autonomy beyond newsroom constraints.
In Kenya, the podcast ecosystem has expanded significantly, with personalities across politics, comedy and lifestyle launching independent shows aimed at younger digital audiences.
If successful, Off The Record could reinforce Koinange’s relevance in a changing media environment while complementing his television work rather than replacing it.
