For Yvonne Okwara, a degree in science was not the end of her academic journey, but it was a phone call that helped shape the career she would eventually build in journalism.
The veteran journalist, who signed off from Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after eight and a half years at Royal Media Services, reflected on the people and opportunities that helped her find her footing in the media industry.
During her farewell broadcast, Okwara recalled how an initial phone interview brought her face to face with veteran broadcaster Jimmy Gathu at Hot 96, marking a significant moment in her early career.
“Twenty years ago, an initial phone interview with a man we had all watched in our youth brought me face to face with Jimmy Gathu right here at Hot 96,” she said.
That meeting opened the door to an opportunity that would help her transition into professional broadcasting and begin building a career that eventually took her to some of Kenya’s leading television newsrooms.
From a science degree to the newsroom
Okwara studied at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree covering Microbiology, Zoology, Botany and Chemistry.
Although her academic background was rooted in science, her interest in media had developed much earlier. She began appearing on television as a child, hosting a children’s programme at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The experience gave her an early taste of broadcasting and helped nurture an interest that would later become her profession.
In a previous interview, Okwara recalled that she had known she wanted to become a journalist from around the age of eight. Her early broadcasting experience meant that, despite graduating with a science degree, she was not entirely new to the media environment.
Rather than pursuing a career directly related to her studies, she followed her interest in journalism, taking up opportunities that allowed her to learn the profession from the ground up.
How Jimmy Gathu helped her find her footing
Okwara credited Gathu with giving her room to learn by doing, including allowing her to develop radio programmes, select music and prepare the technical elements needed for broadcasting before she could take to the microphone.
She recalled spending weeks learning how to prepare music for radio, including transferring tracks from CDs and setting mix markers. The experience exposed her to the practical work behind a radio programme, beyond simply speaking on air.
She said Gathu taught her the importance of respecting audiences and their time, a lesson that remained important throughout her journalism career. Okwara also acknowledged journalist Joe Ageyo as one of the people who shaped her professional development, pushing her beyond her comfort zone and helping her sharpen her craft.
These early lessons helped lay the foundation for a career that would span radio production, television presentation, research and newsroom leadership.
From radio producer to a familiar television face
Okwara went on to work at Nation Media Group, where she gained experience in radio and television, including producing programmes and presenting news. In November 2012, she joined KTN News, where she took on editorial and leadership responsibilities. Her work extended beyond presenting bulletins to helping shape newsroom operations and news strategy.
She returned to Royal Media Services in May 2018, joining Citizen TV as a senior news anchor. Over the years, she became a familiar face on prime-time news and current affairs programmes, including News Gang and The Explainer.
In December 2021, she also took on the role of Business Editor, expanding her responsibilities beyond news presentation. Her career also included moderating Kenya’s presidential debates in 2017 and 2022, as well as participating in high-level discussions with leaders from government, business, and international institutions.
A new chapter after Citizen TV
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Okwara ended her eight-and-a-half-year stint at Citizen TV, thanking the colleagues, mentors, and viewers who supported her journey.
Her departure marked the close of a significant chapter in a media career spanning two decades. However, she made it clear that leaving the station did not mean she was done working towards her goals.
“I am not done building. I’m simply moving to build something else,” she said during her farewell.
From a science graduate to one of Kenya’s recognisable television journalists, Okwara’s journey illustrates how an early opportunity, the willingness to learn and the guidance of mentors can help shape a career in an unexpected direction.