Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO, David Omwoyo has written to Royal Media Services flagging Jeff Koinange’s behaviour in last night’s interview with veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli on Citizen TV.
In the letter, MCK cites various instances of unprofessionalism by the Koinange, including discussing personal and sexual matters with Atwoli, against clause 13 of the Journalist’s code of conduct which states inquiries into an individual’s private life are not acceptable.
“(Koinange) breached clause 13 of the Code of conduct for the practise of journalism on protection of privacy. The article states that inquiries into an individual’s private life is not acceptable and things concerning a person’s home, family, religion, sexuality, personal life and individual’s private affirs shall not be allowed,” read the letter from MCK.
At the preliminary of the interview, Mr Atwoli confirmed his marriage to KTN’s Swahili news presenter Mary Kilobi.
This prompted Koinange to ask questions such as bado Kazi unafanya, katiba bado unasoma” and “Kazi unaweza” loosely translated to “areyou still active/ strong in bed”. In return, Atwoli warned the veteran journalist that it was still watershed period and children were watching, including his.
“The host was persistent in discussing explicit adult related content on TV outside the watershed hour contravening clause 10 on obscenity, taste and tone in reporting of the code of conduct for the practice of journalism in Kenya,” added MCK.
The questions also sparked Kenyans’ fury on social media who said that Koinange was asking inappropriate questions.
This is not the first time that Koinange is courting headlines for unethical behavior on live TV in a desperate attempt to make the show more popular.
n 2016, he left KTN after appearing to laugh off obscene comments made by former gubernatorial aspirant Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant, Miguna Miguna in reference to current Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
In 2015, a Nairobi court also ordered for the arrest of Koinange and city businessman Tony Gachoka for contempt.
The two had ignored the court’s orders barring them from discussing businessman Jimi Wanjigi, Mr Sani Mbui Wanjigi and Kwacha Group of Companies Limited in then KTN’s JKL show.
The plaintiffs had obtained orders barring Mr Koinange, KTN and the Standard Media Group from broadcasting or publishing alleged defamatory statements concerning them and the company.