NAIROBI, Kenya – Veteran journalist Jeff Koinange has sparked online debate after a video showed him walking away from an interview request by an upcoming content creator during the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026 in Nairobi.
The footage captures Elijah, the host of Young Millionaire Talks, approaching the veteran broadcaster with a camera as he attempts to introduce his platform and request an interview.
Jeff appeared to be engaged in a conversation with another person when Elijah approached him. In the circulating clip, the journalist gestures for the young creator to move aside and tells him, “Let’s talk later, young man,” before continuing to walk away.
The brief exchange did not result in an interview at the event, but the video has since attracted attention on social media, with viewers discussing the interaction between an established media personality and a young creator seeking to grow his platform.
Young Creator Turns Rejection Into Motivation
Following the encounter, Elijah shared the footage on Young Millionaire Talks’ social media accounts alongside a message about handling rejection and remaining focused on his ambitions.
Rather than presenting the experience as a setback, the content creator appeared to frame it as an opportunity to learn and keep pursuing his goals.
“A ‘No’ is just a ‘Yes’ in training,” he wrote.
His message suggested that encountering established personalities and seeking opportunities to learn from them were part of his journey as a creator.
Young Millionaire Talks features conversations centred on wealth, business, personal development and success. Through the platform, Elijah seeks to interview people whose experiences could offer lessons to his audience.
An interview with Jeff would have offered an opportunity to hear from one of Kenya’s most recognisable broadcast journalists about his career and experiences in the media industry.
However, the request did not lead to an interview during the summit.
Video Sparks Debate Over Interview Etiquette
The footage has prompted differing reactions from social media users, with some expressing sympathy for Elijah as an emerging creator trying to secure an opportunity, while others questioned his decision to approach Jeff while the journalist appeared to be occupied in another conversation.
The exchange has also raised questions about how upcoming content creators can approach established personalities, make interview requests and build professional relationships at busy public events.
For emerging creators, securing an interview with a well-known figure can provide valuable exposure and help attract audiences to their platforms. However, the circumstances in which such requests are made can also shape how the interaction unfolds.
The video does not establish why Jeff declined to stop for the interview at that moment, and it remains unclear whether the two will eventually arrange a conversation.
For now, the brief exchange has brought fresh attention to Young Millionaire Talks, with the creator’s response to the apparent rejection becoming part of the discussion surrounding the viral clip.
