Royal Media Services Editorial Director Linus Kaikai has described Yvonne Okwara’s departure from Citizen TV as “the toughest” newsroom exit he has handled in his leadership, saying the media industry will miss her.
“The next departure is always tougher than the last one. This is the toughest I have had to deal with in my leadership of the newsroom,” Kaikai said during Okwara’s farewell.
“The industry will miss you; this is an industry dent, and we want to wish you the very best in your next endeavours.”
Okwara signed off from Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 27, ending an eight-year stint at the station.
In her final broadcast, she said she was “not done building” and was moving on “to build something else”.
She also urged viewers to keep asking questions, demanding better and holding those in power to account.
Yvonne Okwara’s career at Citizen TV
Okwara joined Citizen TV in May 2018 after leaving KTN News.
She became a familiar face on the station’s prime-time bulletins and current affairs programmes, including News Gang and The Explainer.
In December 2021, she also took on the role of Business Editor, leading Citizen TV’s business desk while continuing to anchor news.
In 2023, the station made The Explainer with Yvonne Okwara a standalone Tuesday-night programme, giving her a platform to examine major news events and their implications for audiences.
Her career spans radio and television, including work at KBC, Nation Media Group, QFM, NTV and KTN News.
Okwara began broadcasting at a young age, presenting a children’s programme at KBC.
She has also moderated Kenya’s presidential debates in 2017 and 2022.
