Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara-Matole announced her departure from Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, bringing an end to her eight-year stint at the Royal Media Services-owned station, where she established herself as one of the country’s prominent television news anchors and political commentators.
Her exit marked the end of a significant chapter in a career that began with childhood television appearances and grew through production, radio broadcasting, news anchoring and editorial leadership.
Over the years, Okwara covered politics, business and current affairs while taking on responsibilities that extended beyond presenting news bulletins.
During her farewell, Okwara expressed gratitude to her colleagues for allowing her to practise journalism with confidence and independence, acknowledging the emotional weight of leaving a newsroom where she had spent years developing her career.
“Thank you all of you; thank you for allowing me to practice my journalism as fearlessly as possible. I will miss all of you terribly. I’ll leave it at that before I go viral for crying on TV, which wouldn’t be a bad thing after all,” she said.
Her departure also drew an emotional response from Royal Media Services Editorial Director Linus Kaikai, who described the exit as particularly difficult and said the wider media industry would feel the loss.
“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. The industry will miss you; this is an industry dent, and we want to wish you the very best in your next endeavors,” he said.
Okwara’s journey into journalism was not a straightforward one. Despite eventually becoming a familiar face on Kenyan television, she pursued a science degree at university before building a career in the media industry.
Okwara attended All Saints Cathedral Primary School before proceeding to Kianda High School for her secondary education. She later joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where she studied Microbiology, Zoology, Botany and Chemistry between 2002 and 2006.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, giving her an academic background that differed from the career she would eventually pursue.
Her transition into journalism saw her apply research, analytical and communication skills to news reporting, political coverage and public affairs discussions. As her career progressed, she moved beyond presenting to participate in newsroom planning, research and editorial decision-making.
Okwara’s relationship with television began when she was still a child. She appeared on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where she hosted the Children’s Variety programme.
In a 2020 interview, she recalled earning Ksh 500 per episode at the time. Her pay later increased to Ksh 1,000 following a minimum-wage adjustment announced by former President Daniel arap Moi.
The early experience introduced her to television broadcasting long before she became a prominent news anchor. However, her subsequent career involved several roles that helped her develop a broader understanding of the media industry.
Between 2008 and 2012, Okwara worked in content production and radio broadcasting. She served as a radio talk-show producer at QFM and also anchored NTV’s breakfast programme, NTV This Morning.
These assignments gave her experience in producing content and working across different broadcasting formats, preparing her for the more senior editorial responsibilities she would later assume.
Okwara joined KTN News in November 2012, beginning a period that helped establish her reputation as an experienced journalist and newsroom leader.
During her time at the Standard Group-owned station, she served as Head of Anchors and contributed to the establishment of the station’s Research and Planning department. She later took on responsibilities related to news strategy, broadening her role beyond presenting television bulletins.
Her experience in research, planning and newsroom operations became an important part of her professional development. She eventually left KTN News after more than five years, moving to another major broadcaster in 2018.
Okwara joined Citizen TV in May 2018 as a Senior News Anchor. Her arrival marked the beginning of an eight-year period during which she became a familiar presence on prime-time news bulletins and current affairs programmes.
She featured in programmes including News Gang and The Explainer, where political developments, governance and other national issues formed part of the discussions.
In December 2021, she was appointed Business Editor, adding leadership of the station’s business desk to her responsibilities. The position highlighted her versatility, allowing her to combine on-screen presentation with editorial oversight and business reporting.
Her work at Citizen TV placed her among the country’s prominent broadcast journalists, with experience spanning political analysis, business news and public affairs.
Her announcement on October 27, 2026, closed this chapter of her career, although she did not establish in the announcement where she would work next.
Beyond her daily newsroom responsibilities, Okwara took part in some of Kenya’s most prominent political broadcasting assignments.
She moderated Kenya’s 2017 presidential debate and returned to the role in 2022, when she moderated a presidential debate alongside journalist Eric Latiff.
The assignments placed her at the centre of national political discussions, where presidential candidates were questioned on their policies, leadership records and plans for the country.
Her professional experience also extended to international engagements and advisory roles. She moderated panels involving international business and political figures and served as chair of the Enactus Business Advisory Council.
Okwara also chaired the advisory board of Africa Uncensored, worked as a media consultant for Kenya’s National Defence College and served on the board of the International Center for Research on Women’s Africa operations.
Even as her broadcasting career progressed, Okwara continued to pursue further education and professional development.
In 2025, she announced that she had completed an Executive Master’s degree at Aga Khan University. She also reported obtaining certification as a sustainability professional through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
In announcing her departure from Citizen TV, Okwara indicated that leaving the station did not mean she had finished pursuing her ambitions.
“So, I am not done building. I’m simply moving to build something else.”
She also urged Kenyans to remain committed to accountability and continue questioning those in positions of authority, emphasising the importance of public participation in the country’s governance.
“And to you, I urge: keep asking the right questions, keep demanding better, keep holding power to account, and keep believing that this country is worth fighting for.”
