This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
Jeff Koinange's life story is one of contrasts, with a childhood that was far from rosy. Born to a father who was a prominent Kikuyu chief during Kenya's colonial period, Jeff's family lineage is steeped in history and wealth.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Jeff's father, Fredrick Mbiyu Koinange, passed away in 1966, leaving Jeff's mother, Mary Mbiu, to raise him on her own.
Speaking at a recent event at the Country Roads, Thika Greens Golf Resort, Mary Mbiu set the record straight on Jeff's upbringing, saying, 'People should not associate the name Koinange with riches because Jeff was raised in a normal family set-up. I raised him like a normal child because his father died when he was still young.'
Jeff's father was a successful businessman, having been the first Kenyan to open a car dealership. However, his untimely death at the age of 42 left Jeff's mother to navigate the challenges of raising a young child on her own.
Jeff's mother also used the opportunity to offer words of wisdom to young women, urging them to be content with what they have and not to blindly pursue wealth. 'Don't go after the wealthy man but be content and patient with whatever you have because one day you'll make it in life.'
Jeff's family lineage is complex, with his grandfather, Koinange Wa Mbiyu, being a prominent Kikuyu chief during Kenya's colonial period. His father's brother, Mbiyu Koinange, was a Kenyan politician who served in the government and cabinet of Kenya's first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, for 16 years.
