Veteran journalist Yvonne Okwara has left Citizen TV after eight-and-a-half years at the Royal Media Services-owned station, bringing to an end a chapter that established her as one of Kenya’s most recognisable television journalists.
Okwara signed off on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, marking a new phase in a media career spanning approximately two decades.
Her next professional move was disclosed by Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, who said Okwara was joining Shuga Global, previously known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, as Head of Government Relations for East Africa.
The announcement points to a transition from mainstream television journalism to a role involving government relations and engagement across the region.
In her farewell message, Okwara said she was not done building but was moving on to build something else, signalling that her departure was part of a broader professional transition.
She did not provide details of her next assignment during her final broadcast.
Okwara’s journey in broadcasting began when she was still a child, presenting a children’s variety show on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
Although she later pursued a degree in microbiology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, her passion for the media eventually drew her into professional journalism.
She began building her career behind the scenes at QFM, a radio station under Nation Media Group, where she produced talk shows and gained experience in content development.
She later worked at NTV, where she became involved in television news and business programming, including the breakfast show NTV This Morning and the business programme Money Matters.
In November 2012, Okwara joined KTN News, where she spent approximately five-and-a-half years. During her tenure, she rose through the ranks, serving as Head of Anchors and taking on responsibilities in newsroom planning, research and news strategy.
She also anchored Checkpoint, a current-affairs programme examining major political and national developments.
Her work at KTN strengthened her profile as a journalist capable of handling challenging interviews, moderating political debates and examining matters of public interest.
In May 2018, she returned to Royal Media Services as a senior news anchor at Citizen TV.
At Citizen TV, Okwara became a familiar face on prime-time news bulletins and a prominent participant in political and current-affairs discussions.
She was associated with News Gang, the station’s discussion programme examining major national issues, and also presented The Explainer, which sought to provide context to complex developments.
In December 2021, she was appointed Business Editor, expanding her responsibilities to include business reporting while maintaining her presence on news and current-affairs programming.
Her coverage frequently intersected with politics, economic policy, governance and public accountability.
Beyond daily news presentation, Okwara established herself as a moderator of high-profile public discussions.
She moderated Kenya’s 2017 presidential debate and was involved in the 2022 presidential debate process.
Her professional engagements also included discussions involving international figures in government, business and development.
Okwara further pursued professional development in media leadership and innovation, completing an executive master’s programme at Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications in 2024.
Her background also includes a Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellowship and involvement in media development initiatives.
Her reported appointment at Shuga Global marks a significant shift in professional focus, drawing on her experience in journalism, public affairs and communication.
In her new role as Head of Government Relations for East Africa, she is expected to work at the intersection of government engagement and the organisation’s regional activities.
Shuga Global was previously known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, an organisation associated with youth-focused storytelling and initiatives addressing HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and related social issues.
Okwara’s departure closes an important chapter at Citizen TV, where she spent more than eight years covering major national developments and helping shape public conversations.
Her move into government relations signals a new direction for the veteran journalist as she takes her experience beyond the television newsroom.
