Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange has dismissed disturbing rumours circulating online that claimed he had died, assuring Kenyans that he is alive, safe, and in good health.
The speculation erupted on Monday, November 24, after multiple TikTok accounts began spreading false claims about the veteran broadcaster’s alleged death.
The posts quickly went viral, sparking panic among millions of viewers and colleagues who have followed Koinange’s decades-long career on radio and television.
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Concern grew to the point that media personality Xtian Dela privately asked Koinange to confirm whether he was okay. In a WhatsApp exchange later shared online, Dela messaged: “Bro bro bro! You’re good? You’re safe? TikTok has me worried. They’re spreading rumors about your death. Just confirm you’re still here.”
Koinange responded immediately with a short but firm reply: “Bro bro. I’m alive and kicking.”
Dela would later post the conversation, condemning what he described as “clout chasers” who manufacture dangerous lies for online attention.
The rumours were further fueled by Koinange’s recent absence from his flagship late-night show, Jeff Koinange Live (JKL), which airs on Citizen TV every Wednesday.
His absence has become a trending topic on social media, with varying claims about his future at Royal Media Services (RMS). Some posts suggested he was pushed into early retirement or faced disciplinary action — allegations that industry insiders have rejected.
Speaking anonymously, sources at RMS told Viral Tea that Koinange had taken personal time off, but remains an employee of the media company. They declined to offer more details on his break.
This is not the first time the journalist has been a target of misinformation. In October, his Hot 96 co-host Fanya Mambo Kinuthia refuted rumours that Koinange had been fired for allegedly presenting the news while intoxicated.
“Kenya is full of unfounded rumours,” Kinuthia wrote. “I have sat on a show with Jeff on Hot 96 Breakfast every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for almost two years. Jeff Koinange was never fired. He was not kicked out for being drunk on set, as some people allege. You are so wrong on your assumptions.”
He added that the pair had not co-hosted for over two months, but clarified Jeff’s absence had nothing to do with disciplinary issues.
In Koinange’s absence, various Citizen TV presenters have stepped in to keep the shows running.
Ayub Abdikadir has been filling in on JKL while the program continues to carry its signature branding and interview format.
On Sundays, Olive Burrows has been hosting Sunday Live solo, a departure from the familiar Burrows–Koinange pairing that had become a staple of prime-time news.
Despite the social media frenzy, Koinange himself has opted for minimal drama — choosing a simple, reassuring message to Kenyans: he is alive, well, and very much still around.