The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Renowned media personality Yvonne Okwara has officially departed from Citizen TV, concluding animpactful eight-year tenure with the Royal Media Services-owned network while simultaneously marking two decades in the broadcasting industry.
Delivering her final broadcast, Okwara reflected on her 20-year journalistic journey, sharing that she leaves the newsroom with the same zeal and patriotism that defined the start of her career.
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“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,” Okwara stated during her emotional sign-off.
Throughout her two-decade career, Okwara has established herself as one of East Africa’s premier interviewers and news anchors. Her portfolio includes high-profile sit-downs with global heads of state, corporate chief executives, activists, and grassroots citizens on pivotal national and international platforms. She has notably moderated Kenya’s presidential debates and led high-level panel discussions featuring global figures such as Melinda French Gates, former U.S. 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.
“I’ve spent two decades asking questions. Sometimes the answers have inspired us. Sometimes they have angered us. Sometimes they have disappointed us,” she remarked. “But I’ve always believed that asking the question matters. That holding power to account matters. That giving ordinary people a voice matters.”
Clarifying that her departure is not a retirement from public service, Okwara hinted at upcoming endeavors: “I am not done building. I am simply moving to build something else.”
Tributes and Career Highlights
Her departure drew widespread praise from across the political and media spectrum. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna expressed his gratitude to Okwara on social media, recalling how she gave him his debut television appearance more than a decade 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. I won’t forget you gave me my first appearance on TV over 13 years ago. Forever grateful,” Senator Sifuna shared.
Okwara’s media journey began at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as a child presenter. She later transitioned to radio at Hot 96 FM before joining Nation Media Group’s QFM and QTV. Prior to joining Citizen TV eight years ago, she served as a prominent news anchor and show host at the Kenya Television Network (KTN).
Concluding her address, the veteran journalist issued a passionate plea to her peers and the public to uphold press freedom and democratic values.
“Keep asking the right questions. Keep demanding better. Keep holding power to account. Keep believing that this country is worth fighting for,” she urged.
Okwara described her two decades in broadcasting as a profound honor, reinforcing her enduring belief in the power of journalism to drive positive national development.
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