Kenya’s podcasting landscape is about to get a major heavyweight addition. Jeff Koinange, undeniably one of the biggest and most recognizable media personalities in the country, has officially announced his foray into the digital audio-visual space. Starting March 1, 2026, Koinange will launch his brand-new YouTube podcast, aptly titled Off the Record.
Taking to social media to share the highly anticipated news, he posted: “Folks! WE have HEARD You! Save the date, STAY TUNED! Coming SOON! #OFFTheRecord.” The podcast will appear on his personal YouTube channel and not the Citizen TV channel. I’ve seen at least three YouTube channels associated with Jeff Koinange, so hopefully he gets to clarify which is the official account.
In the teaser video, Koinange promises to deliver his signature “smooookin” style, noting that the show will feature a diverse lineup of guests, including top personalities, musicians, and artists.
Mainstream media meets the digital frontier
This development hardly comes as a surprise. The local podcast industry has reached a tipping point, deeply encroaching on traditional broadcasting territory. We’ve seen a growing trend where established mainstream media figures leverage their massive, pre-existing social followings to build highly engaged digital communities.
When a personality with Koinange’s pedigree pivots to YouTube, it signals a broader industry shift. Audiences, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who make up the lion’s share of Kenya’s podcast consumers, are actively seeking out the long-form, unscripted content that traditional linear TV often restricts.
Candid conversations and engaging stories
So, what can we expect from Off the Record? If trends from recent years are anything to go by, Kenyan listeners have a massive appetite for candid conversations, engaging stories, and authentic humor. Koinange’s extensive career is built on his ability to extract compelling narratives from his guests, often injecting his unique brand of humor to disarm interviewees.
This aligns perfectly with what dominates the local charts. Shows that offer raw, unfiltered storytelling consistently outperform purely informational content. Koinange is exceptionally well-positioned to tap into this exact demographic with his veteran interviewing skills.
Will ‘Off the Record’ come to Spotify, Apple Music, and others?
While Koinange’s initial announcement solely highlights YouTube as the launchpad, it’s highly probable that an audio-only version will soon follow on major streaming platforms. Spotify’s footprint in Kenya has expanded over the last few years. Given how well humorous, candid podcasts perform on Spotify locally, bringing Off the Record to the platform seems like an inevitable next step.
For now, mark your calendars for March 1. It’s going to be an interesting ride to see how traditional media’s finest adapts to the unfiltered world of podcasting.
