Eric Latiff is a renowned media personality who is known for his prowess in political journalism and commentary. He is a broadcast journalist on Standard Media Group’s Spice FM and KTN TV station. he is also a digital marketing expert, communications strategist, conference moderator, MC and voice-over artist.
He was born at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi in 1978. His family relocated to Oloitoktok, Kajiado County shortly after his birth after his mother who was a police officer was transferred and stationed in the region.
Education
Latiff began his education at Kimana Primary School in Kajiado after which he proceeded to Mang’u High School for his secondary education.
While in high school, he developed a passion for journalism with his main inspiration being veteran radio presenter Fred Obachi Machokaa which led him to pursue a career in media.
In 1998, Latiff enrolled at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) in Nairobi to pursue Telecommunications Engineering, setting a solid groundwork for his subsequent career in media.
Media Career
Latiff began his media career as an intern at the Standard Media Group.
He moved up the ranks and spread his wings to other media stations including Capital FM and K24 TV by MediaMax.
He worked in Mediamax’s K24 and was in the founding team led by Rose and David Kimotho in launching Kenya’s first-ever 24-hour television channel. He also doubled up as a production manager and producer at Kameme FM.
He left the station for Family TV where worked as a TV producer.
The media personality then joined Capital FM in 2003 and developed a close working relationship with the late Chris Kirubi who bought the company in 2004 and often exchanged ideas with him, describing him as a father figure, a mentor, a critic and a cheerleader.
He returned to the Standard Media Group in 2006 to become a prime-time news anchor on KTN where he refined his skills in sub-editing news bulletins, hosting, conducting interviews, and producing news content. He left the company in 2013 and rejoined Capital FM and continued his stint as senior online editor.
Spice FM and ‘The Situation Room’
Latiff returned to the Standard Media Group in 2019 and joined Spice FM after an invitation by Tom Jappani to take part in a new venture by the company.
He became the host of ‘The Situation Room,’ the only interrupted morning talk show on Kenyan radio, where political commentary, debates, and national issues are discussed. The show engages high-profile guests who share in thought-provoking discussions which has spiked its popularity countrywide.
Latiff co-hosts C.T. Muga and Ndu Oko who bring a witty and engaging approach to the show.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Eric is the founder of Zeze Digital, a data-driven marketing and communications agency based in Nairobi, Kenya. He started the company in 2016, offering the creation and implementation of digital marketing strategies for clients tailored to their marketing needs.
He also owns Zeze Tunes, a digital content aggregation, distribution and rights management company that works with video content creators to reach audiences on digital platforms.
Personal life
Latiff maintains a relatively private personal life despite his public professional career. He is a devoted husband and father to one daughter, choosing to keep his family life away from the limelight.
Recent endeavours
In 2022, Latiff co-moderated the presidential debate leading to the August general elections alongside Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara, further solidifying his reputation as a seasonal political journalist.
On Sunday, June 30, he was among renowned journalists Linus Kaikai and Joe Ageyo who interviewed President William Ruto following two weeks of nationwide anti-finance bill protests, cementing his continued influence in the media industry.
