On Sunday evening, Jeff Koinange hosted South Sudan’s Chief of General Staff General Paul Malong on his talk show dubbed JKLive on Citizen TV and Kenyans on Twitter were embarrassed with the way Jeff conducted the interview.
General Malong is a known to be among the people fueling conflict in Africa’s youngest nation and reaping huge benefits from it.
Mr Malong was among the people featured in an exposé “The Profiteers” by John Allan Namu as he brought to light how selfish warlords were making millions of shillings at the expense of South Sudanese lives.
KTN refused to air the documentary due to influence by top officials from South Sudan including General Malong himself and Namu had to post it on YouTube instead.
The exposé also showed how South Sudanese money was being laundered through Kenyan bank KCB and how the Kenyan government was giving it a blind eye.
South Sudan’s political and military leaders have bled their country dry to fuel extravagant lifestyles and fund a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes.
Mr Malong, whose source of wealth is highly questionable, owns huge property in the country where he frequents.
Kenyans have had enough of Jeff hosting these contentious personalities and went all out to air their opinions.
— Alphazo_Alvenom.Xi 🐐 (@Alphazoalvenomx) October 14, 2018
During the interview, Kenyans on Twitter argue that Jeff was asking questions that were meant to cover the impunity of Malong.
According to Kenyans, the questions and answers that resulted from the interview were irrelevant, and the interview aimed at cleansing the Sudaneese Warlord.
Kenyans argue that the questions Jeff was asking had been send to him in advance by the warlord himself.
Here are some of the reactions Jeff had to meet after and during his interview with Malong.
Jeff Koinange is currently reading Questions that the Sudanese Looter emailed him. I will not watch #SundayLive
— sally (@Salomelugard) October 14, 2018
This is how stupid journalism looks. @johnallannamu took months, travelled thousands of kms and prepared a 1hr 10 mins investigative piece. Then dyed hair Jeff Koinange seats under a tree with the masterminds cleansing them in a 10 mins interview #sic Shame on you #SundayLive
— Mahenia Sam (@MaheniaSam) October 14, 2018
What was the purpose of this Jeff Koinange interview? He got a 1 on 1 with Malong and so far nothing important is coming out here! pic.twitter.com/kJDtyrK8TB
— Wateba 3.6 (@iWateba) October 14, 2018
Jesus. What’s Jeff Koinange doing? Is this what Kenyan TV has turned into? What nonsense is this?
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) October 14, 2018
The Jeff Koinange interview that has just aired on @citizentvkenya should be used as case study for first year journalism students as an example of a bad interview. #SundayLive
— The Jacobin ® (@ShikukuJack) October 14, 2018
With all due respect to my friend Jeff Koinange, I think the best person to interview these South Sudanese profiteers is Hussein Mohamed ( I hope I got his name right).
Hussein knows how to ask the hard questions.
— NDUNGU NYORO (@ndungu_nyoro) October 14, 2018