Veteran journalist and media innovator Eric Latif has announced his departure from Spice FM and the Standard Group after nearly six years of hosting “The Situation Room,” one of Kenya’s most popular talk shows.
In a statement released on Monday, January 6, 2025, Latif reflected on the journey of launching and building “The Situation Room,” a program that has earned its place as the home of “Kenya’s Biggest Conversations.”
The show, which airs during the morning commute, is known for hosting thought leaders, professionals, and community influencers.
“It has been a great journey building The Situation Room to what it has become, and we have very many people to thank, not least the team of producers, marketing, commercial, technical, and other colleagues,” Latif wrote.
Latif credited his co-hosts, CT Muga, Ndu Okoh, and Njeri Thorne, along with producer Brian Evusa and Programmes Controller Brian Obara, for their dedication and belief in the vision of the show. He also acknowledged the support of Radio General Manager Tom Japanni and other colleagues at Spice FM.
Latif recounted the nervous excitement of launching The Situation Room on August 20, 2019, with a format that challenged the conventional morning radio programming. The show delivered four hours of non-stop talk, a bold concept at the time.
“Would this work? Would the audience embrace four hours of non-stop talk during their busy morning commute?” Latif remembered wondering.
The show quickly gained traction and has since become a platform for engaging discussions, hosting key voices across various sectors, and attracting a loyal audience on radio, TV, and digital platforms.
Latif expressed gratitude to the audience that has supported The Situation Room over the years, saying their calls, texts, and feedback had been humbling and inspiring.
“The biggest part of this show has been the audience who tune in on radio, TV, or digital platforms,” he stated.
Latif’s departure from Spice FM marks the end of yet another chapter in his illustrious career, during which he has been instrumental in launching several groundbreaking media platforms.
Among his notable achievements is helping to establish Kenya’s first 24-hour religious media house, Family FM and Family TV; the first 24-hour vernacular radio station, Kameme FM; and the first 24-hour news and information television station, K24.
Beyond his media career, Eric Latif is also the founder of Zeze Digital and Zeze Tunes, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation in digital platforms.
The Man Behind the Microphone
What many might not know about Latif is that he has had a distinguished career spanning decades. Here are some key highlights about him:
- He is 46 years old, born in 1978.
- He grew up in Kajiado, shaping his connection to Kenya’s diverse communities.
- Latif is an alumnus of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), where he honed his journalism skills.
- He has worked with prominent media houses, including Capital FM, K24, and KTN, before joining Spice FM.
- At Spice FM, he hosted the popular talk show The Situation Room, owned by the Standard Media Group.
Latif also made headlines in June 2024 during the ‘Presidential Round Table’ interview with President William Ruto. Alongside Citizen TV’s Linus Kaikai and Joe Ageyo, Latif posed a bold question that went viral: “Mr. President, Kenyans have sent me to ask you, when will you stop lying?” This moment cemented his reputation as a fearless journalist unafraid to hold leaders accountable.
What’s Next?
While bidding farewell to his colleagues at Spice FM, Latif hinted at the possibility of embarking on a new venture soon, though he did not reveal specific details.
“Is there room for something new? Of course, always, and I sure hope to be a part of it soon. Wish me luck, I will keep you posted,” he concluded.
Latif’s departure marks the end of an era for The Situation Room and Spice FM, but his legacy as a pioneer in Kenya’s media industry continues to inspire.
