Nairobi, Kenya | October 28, 2026

Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara has left Citizen TV after eight years at the station, bringing to a close a distinguished career in broadcast journalism spanning two decades.

Okwara announced her departure during her final appearance on The Explainer on Tuesday, October 27, where she reflected on her career, the people who shaped her journey and the responsibility of journalism to hold leaders accountable.

She joined Citizen TV in May 2018 after leaving KTN News and went on to become one of the station's most recognisable news anchors. During her tenure at Royal Media Services, she anchored major news bulletins and hosted current affairs programmes, including The Explainer and News Gang.

Reflecting on her career, Okwara said she began her journalism journey with optimism and a strong sense of purpose, qualities she said continued to guide her as she embarked on a new chapter.

Over the course of two decades, she interviewed presidents, politicians, business leaders, activists and ordinary citizens while covering some of Kenya's most significant political, economic and social developments.

She also paid tribute to the colleagues and mentors who influenced her career, including former Hot 96 presenter Jimmy Gathu, journalist Joe Agueo and former Standard Group chief executive Sam Shollei.

Okwara thanked the Citizen TV newsroom and the team behind News Gang, describing her years working alongside fellow journalists as one of the privileges of her career.

Her journey in broadcasting began long before she joined Citizen TV. She started at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, where she presented a children's programme at a young age, before moving into radio and television roles at various media organisations, including Nation Media Group and KTN.

At Citizen TV, Okwara also developed a strong profile in business journalism and was appointed Business Editor in 2021. Her work over the years has covered politics, business, governance and major national events.

She has also moderated high-profile political debates and international discussions involving prominent figures from Kenya and beyond, further establishing her reputation as an experienced interviewer and current affairs journalist.

A day after announcing her departure from Citizen TV, Okwara unveiled her next career move.

Shuga Global announced on Wednesday that she had been appointed Head of Investments and Partnerships, a role that will see her lead efforts to develop strategic partnerships, attract investment and mobilise resources to support programmes targeting young people.

The appointment marks a significant shift from television journalism to organisational leadership, with Okwara set to focus on partnerships, fundraising, investment mobilisation and institutional growth.

Shuga Global, formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, rebranded in April 2026 and uses storytelling and media to address social and health challenges affecting young people.

The organisation said Okwara's experience in communications, business, policy and social impact would strengthen its partnerships and help diversify its funding as it expands its international presence.

Her departure from Citizen TV has also attracted tributes from colleagues and public figures who have worked with her throughout her career. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who said Okwara gave him his first television appearance more than a decade ago, described her as one of the best journalists in the industry.

After two decades of asking questions, reporting major national stories and moderating some of Kenya's most important public conversations, Okwara now begins a new chapter outside the newsroom.

Her move to Shuga Global represents a transition from journalism to a leadership role where she will use her experience in communication, business and public engagement to build partnerships and mobilise resources for programmes aimed at young people.