By Nyang’au Araka
It is not every day that a guest turns the tables on a television interviewer in Kenya, let alone one as established as Jeff Koinange.
But that is precisely what unfolded on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live when Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) politician Cleophas Malala turned a political interview into an unusually personal exchange, taking on the veteran broadcaster in a series of sharp verbal jabs.
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The confrontation quickly became a talking point, not only because of the personalities involved but also because such open exchanges between a presenter and a political guest are relatively uncommon on Kenyan television.
The two had started out discussing politics, including Malala’s position in DCP, his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his ambition to contest the Kakamega governorship in 2027.
They also discussed the party’s internal power dynamics, particularly the role of Nyandarua Senator John Methu while party leader Rigathi Gachagua was away in the United States.
However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Malala challenged Koinange’s professional standing, comparing him to veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli.
“Jeff, you’re the Atwoli of the media. You cannot grow more; you’re stagnant,” Malala told the presenter.
He went further, making a personal remark about Koinange’s hair, apparently suggesting that the broadcaster was too comfortable in his position to seek further growth.
Koinange, who is accustomed to putting politicians and other high-profile guests on the spot, responded in equally combative fashion.
“People like you are dying to come to a show like this because of me. If there was someone else, you wouldn’t come,” he said, defending his standing and influence in the media.
He also turned the conversation towards Malala’s political history, describing him as a party hopper and calling him “Little Ruto”.
The exchange became even more pointed when Koinange suggested that Malala had lost his influence in DCP to Senator Methu.
“Methu has taken over your position. He has stolen the thunder from you,” Koinange said.
Malala rejected the suggestion, maintaining that he was a founding member of DCP who had established the party’s structures in Western Kenya, while Methu had been assigned mobilisation responsibilities in the Mt Kenya region.
Kenyans pick sides
As clips and accounts of the exchange circulated online, Kenyans weighed in, with some amused by the unusual spectacle, others taking sides and several treating the confrontation as entertainment.
One Omwamba wondered whether the exchange could affect Malala’s future appearances on the programme, writing: “I doubt Jeff Koinange will ever invite Cleophas Malala back to the bench again.”
Cornelius Ronoh brought Atwoli into the conversation, suggesting that the veteran unionist could have something to say about Malala’s comparison.
“I hope Cleophas Malala is ready to finish what he has started. The comeback from Francis Atwoli might turn water into wine. Jeff Koinange did not see this coming!” he wrote.
Another user, Řõððïę, felt Koinange had momentarily lost his composure, commenting: “Jeff aliLose some composure hapo.”
Cassandra appeared to enjoy the verbal sparring, observing: “Sometimes hit them where it hurts most and see their reactions.”
Vigilante Vanguard praised Malala’s political instincts, describing him as a sharp operator who understood the game.
The reactions continued after Koinange shared photographs from the interview on social media the following day.
Allan Mbaku captured the mood with a playful comparison: “You called him Cleophas Maziwa Mala; he called you Jeff from Koinange Street.”
Michael Otieno Okoth found Malala’s Atwoli comparison particularly unexpected, while Ambasador Joe Polong offered a diplomatic verdict: “You met your match, and the game was a draw.”
Koinange’s post focused on the political issues discussed during the interview and invited those who had missed the programme to watch it online. He did not directly address the personal exchanges.
More than television banter
While the confrontation provided an unusual moment of television entertainment, it also exposed the tensions surrounding political identity, influence and leadership within DCP as the country edges towards the 2027 elections.
For Koinange, it was an interview in which the guest proved just as willing to ask uncomfortable questions as he was to answer them.
For Malala, it was an opportunity to challenge the man asking the questions, rather than simply defend his political record.
And for viewers, it was a rare Kenyan television moment in which the interviewer found himself on the receiving end of the kind of pointed questioning usually reserved for his guests.
The showdown is here: https://www.facebook.com/Kiss100Kenya/videos/former-kakamega-senator-cleophas-malala-and-tv-host-jeff-koinange-exchanged-shar/4391839354293163/
