Veteran journalist Yvonne Okwara has announced her departure from Citizen TV after eight years at the Royal Media Services-owned station, bringing a significant chapter of her broadcasting career to a close as she marks two decades in journalism.
In her farewell message, Okwara reflected on a career shaped by interviews with political leaders, business executives, activists and ordinary Kenyans. She said she was leaving with the same optimism and belief in the country that she had when she began her journey in journalism.
“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 vibrancy, optimism for this great craft of journalism and for this country. I still feel the same way,” she said.
Over the years, Okwara has become known for her interviews, political analysis and coverage of major national issues. She has also moderated presidential debates and international discussions involving prominent global figures.
Reflecting on her work, she said journalism had given her the opportunity to ask difficult questions, challenge those in authority and bring public concerns into national conversations.
“I've spent two decades asking questions. Sometimes the answers have inspired us. Sometimes they have angered us. Sometimes they have disappointed us,” she said.
“But I've always believed that asking the question matters. That holding power to account matters. That giving ordinary people a voice matters.”
Okwara made clear that her departure did not signal the end of her ambitions. Instead, she said she intended to take on a new challenge while maintaining her commitment to public service.
“So, I am not done building. I am simply moving to build something else,” she said.
Her announcement drew tributes from leaders and colleagues, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who credited her with giving him his first television appearance more than 13 years ago.
“Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, Yvonne Okwara. I really loved our little talks on the Explainer. You are one of the best to ever do it,” Sifuna said, adding that he remained grateful for the opportunity she had given him early in his public career.
Okwara began her media career at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, where she hosted a children's programme. She later worked at Hot 96 FM before moving to Nation Media Group's QFM and QTV, followed by a stint at Kenya Television Network.
Her career has extended beyond daily broadcasting. She has moderated discussions featuring international figures such as Melinda French Gates, former US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, former World Bank president Jim Yong Kim and former African Development Bank president Donald Kaberuka. She is also a Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellow.
As she marked 20 years in the profession, Okwara urged journalists and members of the public to remain committed to accountability and continue challenging those in power.
“Keep asking the right questions. Keep demanding better. Keep holding power to account. Keep believing that this country is worth fighting for. Because it is. And it must be,” she said.
Although she has not outlined the details of her next venture in the farewell message, Okwara said her belief in Kenya and the importance of journalism remained unchanged.
Her departure marks the end of her eight-year run at Citizen TV, but her message suggests that she sees it as the beginning of another chapter rather than a farewell to the profession.
