Yvonne Okwara lands new position after exiting TV role

Veteran journalist Yvonne Okwara has landed a new role at Shuga Global following her exit from Citizen TV, bringing to an end an eight-year stint at the Royal Media Services-owned station.

The appointment marks a new chapter in Okwara’s career, which has spanned more than two decades across radio and television, including senior editorial roles at some of Kenya’s leading media houses.

Shuga Global, formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, is known for its work using media and storytelling to engage young people on health and social issues.

Okwara will be joining as Head of Investments and Partnerships according to a post on Instagram by the organisation.

Her move comes days after she delivered her final broadcast on Tuesday, October 27, bringing an end to a tenure during which she became one of the station’s most recognisable journalists.

“So, I am not done building. I’m simply moving to build something else,” she told viewers during her sign-off, hinting at a new chapter without disclosing her next destination.

She also urged Kenyans to keep asking the right questions, demanding better and holding those in power accountable.

Okwara joined Citizen TV in May 2018 after leaving KTN News. She became a prominent face of the station’s prime-time programming, anchoring news and hosting current affairs programmes.

Her departure drew an emotional reaction from Royal Media Services Group Editorial Director Linus Kaikai, who described it as the toughest newsroom departure he had dealt with in his leadership.

“The industry will miss you; this is an industry dent,” Kaikai said as he wished Okwara well in her next endeavours.

Okwara’s career path has been distinctive because she did not initially train as a journalist. She studied science at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, graduating with a degree in microbiology, before building a career in broadcasting.

Her interest in television began in childhood.

She has previously said she became interested in journalism at around eight years old and appeared on a children’s programme at KBC.

Beyond anchoring, Okwara has worked as a moderator and communications professional. She moderated Kenya’s presidential debates in 2017 and 2022 and has handled high-level discussions involving prominent local and international figures.

She is also a Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellow and has served in advisory roles outside the newsroom