Veteran Kenyan broadcaster Yvonne Okwara delivered an emotional final broadcast on Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, signing off after roughly eight and a half years at the Royal Media Services station and two decades in mainstream media. tuko.co.ke
Seated at the “Yvonne’s Take” desk during The Explainer, Okwara reflected on a journey that began soon after graduating from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with a degree in microbiology. “When I walked through these doors 20 years ago, I was young, fresh out of university with a microbiology degree, some television experience from my youth, but teeming with vibrance, optimism for this great craft of journalism and for this country,” she told viewers. tuko.co.ke
She thanked mentors including Jimmy Garthu (who gave her an early break at Hot 96), Joe Agueo, and Sam Shollei, as well as Citizen TV leadership such as Managing Director Monica Kiragu and Wachira Waruru, and the broader newsroom team. Her most heartfelt remarks went to the News Gang panel she helped build—colleagues including Linus Kaikai, Jamila Mohamed, and Sam Gituku—whom she credited with defining Kenyan journalism. She also thanked her family for their support through long nights and challenging assignments. tuko.co.ke
Okwara framed the exit as a pivot rather than retirement. “I leave with the same optimism I walked through these doors with 20 years ago, the same curiosity, the same belief that this country can be better. I am not done building. I’m simply moving to build something else,” she said. She closed by urging Kenyans to “keep asking the right questions. Keep holding power to account. Keep believing that this country is worth fighting for,” before signing off with a simple “Good night.” tuko.co.ke
Royal Media Services Editorial Director Linus Kaikai described the departure as the toughest he has handled in his newsroom leadership, calling it an “industry dent.” “The industry will miss you… we want to wish you the very best in your next endeavours,” he said during the farewell. tuko.co.ke
Career Highlights at Citizen TV and Beyond
Okwara joined Citizen TV in May 2018 after leaving KTN News, returning to the Royal Media Services group where she had earlier worked in radio. At the station she anchored prime-time bulletins, co-hosted News Gang, and fronted The Explainer (which became a standalone Tuesday-night programme in 2023). In December 2021 she also took on the role of Business Editor. In 2023 she was voted Kenya’s best female English TV anchor. ynews.digital
Her broader career includes early work presenting a children’s programme at KBC, radio production at QFM and Hot 96, and roles at Nation Media Group and NTV. She has moderated Kenya’s presidential debates and high-level panels featuring figures such as Melinda Gates, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Outside daily news work she has served as a media consultant for Kenya’s National Defence College, chaired the ENACTUS Business Advisory Council, and sat on boards including Africa Uncensored and ICRW Africa. ghafla.co.ke
Next Chapter
Okwara did not announce her next role on air. On Wednesday, October 28, Dennis Itumbi (Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects at the Office of the President) publicly stated that she will join Shuga Global (previously known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation) as Head of Government Relations for East Africa, a role focused on the creative economy, youth, and related work across the region. Okwara had not publicly confirmed the appointment at the time of reporting; the post drew mixed reactions online, with some arguing she should have been allowed to announce it herself. tuko.co.ke
Her departure leaves a visible gap on Citizen TV’s flagship current-affairs programming. Colleagues and viewers have paid tribute to her precision, accountability-focused interviewing, and long service to Kenyan broadcast journalism.