Veteran journalist Jeff Koinange has made a return
to television, dismissing rumours about his alleged death during a live
broadcast.
The celebrated anchor, known for his charismatic on-air
presence, opened his comeback on his signature show JKLive, which airs on
Citizen TV with a bold declaration aimed at setting the record straight.
Koinange wondered how he could be dead, adding that it was
great to be back on the screens.
“I’m back. Like I never left. It’s good to be back. Walikuwa
wameniua (They had killed me). How? Here I am,” he said, addressing days of
intense speculation that had flooded social media.
Koinange’s remarks referenced widespread online claims that
he had died—claims that quickly went viral and prompted concern among fans and
colleagues.
His reappearance on air served as both a rebuttal and a
reassurance.
He added that his alleged death was exaggerated and went on
to joke that for over 2,000 years, no one has resurrected, referencing the
story Lazarus from the Bible.
“The news of my death has been exaggerated. For 2,000 years
Hakuna mtu amefufuka (For 2,000 years no one has resurrected),” he added,
underscoring the absurdity of the rumours that had circulated.
The journalist’s return was met with relief from viewers,
many of whom had taken to various platforms to question the unverified reports.
The reports arose from his sudden absence from the show he
has hosted for years, and while some others claimed he was ill, some spread
rumours of his death.
In an earlier response to the rumours, Koinange had responded
to an X use saying that he was fine, despite the fact that he had not been seen
in public for six months.
Koinange, a long-time figure in Kenya’s broadcast industry,
did not provide details about his absence from the screen, instead choosing to
focus on countering the speculation head-on.
His remarks appeared intended to reassure his audience while
also criticising the ease with which false narratives gain traction online.
