This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Jeff Koinange Faces Defamation Claim ¶
On August 27, 2019, Jeff Koinange interviewed Wendy Waeni, a minor and gymnast, on his show, Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) on Citizen TV. During the interview, Wendy accused her agent, Joseph Mwangi, of swindling her, claiming she did not receive any money from her performances in several countries, including Germany, Rwanda, and China.
Wendy also claimed to live in squalor with her mother in Huruma estate, Nairobi. The interview sparked a heated debate on social media, with many criticizing Mwangi.
On October 30, 2019, Mwangi's lawyer, Kevin Katisya, sent a demand notice to Royal Media Services, giving them seven days to admit liability and set the stage for talks on compensation. The lawyer also demanded a written apology published in all media outlets exonerating Mwangi from Wendy's 'slanderous statements.'
Furthermore, the lawyer requested a repeat interview on JKL for both Wendy and her mother, Magdalene Syombua, where both should apologize to Mwangi for lying to the general public.
This is not the first time Jeff Koinange has faced a defamation claim. In 2016, he was sued by Jimmi Wanjigi for linking him to Anglo Leasing in an interview with Tony Gachoka. In 2019, Marble Arch Hotel owner Mike Maina sued Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, RMS, and Jeff Koinange following remarks he made against him on JK Live show.
On November 2, 2016, then Nairobi governor Evans Kidero wrote a complaint to the Media Council of Kenya expressing his displeasure with the Standard Group and Jeff Koinange's show, citing a similar case of defamation.
It remains to be seen how Royal Media Services will manage this case, given that there was no right-of-reply opportunity for Mwangi.
