Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara has delivered an emotional farewell message to her Citizen TV colleagues following her departure from the station after 20 years in the broadcasting industry. The respected news anchor used her final moments with the newsroom team to express gratitude, address speculation surrounding her exit and share her thoughts about Kenya’s upcoming 2027 General Election. A video showing Okwara addressing her colleagues on Wednesday, October 28, quickly attracted attention, with viewers noticing how emotional she became while reflecting on her long career. Her departure, which took effect on Tuesday, October 27, marks the end of an important chapter in her professional journey at Citizen TV. However, it was her remarks about politics, government appointments and the responsibility awaiting journalists in 2027 that made the farewell particularly interesting.
During her address, Okwara made it clear that she wanted to correct speculation surrounding the reasons for her departure. She specifically dismissed suggestions that her decision had anything to do with an individual identified by the initials LMM. Addressing her colleagues directly, she said her exit had no connection to whatever the individual was doing on Friday or in the days that followed. She also distanced herself from speculation surrounding his reported trip to the United States, explaining that she had no information about it. Her statement appeared intended to prevent her departure from being linked to political developments or events involving other public figures. By addressing the rumours directly, Okwara made it clear that she wanted her professional decision to be understood on its own terms.
The veteran journalist also dismissed suggestions that she was leaving television to join government. In her farewell speech, she explained that she believed everyone had a different calling and that joining government was not part of hers. She stated that she had found her own path and did not intend to pursue a government position. Her remarks came amid public curiosity about what might come next following her departure from one of Kenya’s leading television stations. Given her experience, public profile and knowledge of national affairs, speculation about a possible political or government-related appointment was perhaps unsurprising. However, Okwara’s message was straightforward, making it clear that she was not announcing a move into government.
Beyond addressing rumours, Okwara took time to appreciate the Citizen TV colleagues she had worked alongside throughout her career. She acknowledged the efforts of the newsroom team and encouraged them to continue delivering their work with commitment. Her message was brief but meaningful, reflecting the professional relationships she had built during her time at the station. She thanked the staff for their work and ended with a blessing, wishing them well as she prepared to move on. The emotional nature of the speech showed that leaving the newsroom was an important personal and professional moment. For colleagues who had shared years of assignments, breaking news coverage and demanding newsroom schedules with her, the farewell represented the end of a familiar working relationship.
One of the most significant moments came when Okwara shifted her attention to Kenya’s 2027 General Election. Rather than focusing entirely on her own departure, she used the opportunity to remind her colleagues about the responsibility awaiting them as the country approaches another electoral period. She described the next election as a tough one and expressed confidence in the team remaining at Citizen TV. She told them that she would be watching and cheering them on from the sidelines. Her remarks suggested that although she was leaving the station, she remained interested in the work her former colleagues would continue doing. She also emphasised that the significance of the 2027 election extended beyond the ordinary activities associated with an electoral contest.
Her statement that the election would be about more than just voting attracted particular attention. Kenya’s General Election is scheduled for 2027, and the period leading up to it will place considerable demands on journalists and media organisations. Newsrooms will be expected to cover political campaigns, public debates, policy discussions and the electoral process while maintaining accuracy and fairness. Journalists will also face the challenge of reporting on competing political interests without allowing partisan pressure to influence their work. Okwara’s message highlighted the importance of the media team she was leaving behind during this period. Her confidence in their ability to handle the responsibility reflected the significance she attached to professional journalism and the role of the newsroom in informing the public.
Okwara’s departure also brings attention to her 20-year journey in the broadcasting industry. Over the years, she established herself as a familiar face in Kenyan television journalism, earning recognition for her news presentation and coverage of major national issues. Her work at Citizen TV placed her among the country’s prominent broadcast journalists, particularly through her involvement in political and current affairs programming. Her interviewing style and experience covering national developments made her a recognisable figure among viewers. Two decades in the industry also meant working through significant changes in Kenya’s media landscape, including the growth of digital journalism and the increasing influence of social media. Her exit therefore represents a notable professional transition after many years of serving television audiences.
The farewell video also attracted attention because it offered colleagues and viewers a glimpse of the personal side of a journalist often associated with serious news coverage. During her address, Okwara paused to collect herself more than once, showing how meaningful the occasion was. Her emotional reaction reflected the importance of the people and professional experiences she was leaving behind. The newsroom is not simply a workplace for journalists who spend years covering major events together. It is also an environment where colleagues develop working relationships while navigating deadlines, difficult assignments and the pressures of live broadcasting. For Okwara, saying goodbye to the Citizen TV team after such a long period was clearly a significant moment.
Her departure also comes at a time when audiences are increasingly interested in the future of established media personalities. Viewers often develop strong connections with journalists who regularly present news and explain important national developments. Consequently, the exit of a familiar anchor can generate questions about future programming, newsroom changes and the direction of the journalist’s career. In Okwara’s case, her decision to leave Citizen TV has generated considerable discussion, particularly because she has not presented the departure as a move into government. Her farewell remarks have instead focused on gratitude, personal direction and the professional responsibilities facing her former colleagues. What she plans to pursue next remains a separate question that her farewell speech did not fully address.
Yvonne Okwara’s emotional farewell to Citizen TV colleagues has therefore become more than an announcement of a career transition. Her speech addressed speculation about her departure, ruled out a move into government and acknowledged the team she worked with for many years. She also used the occasion to draw attention to the challenges journalists will face during Kenya’s 2027 General Election. Her assurance that she would continue watching and supporting her former colleagues showed that leaving the station did not mean losing interest in their work. After two decades in broadcasting, Okwara now begins a new chapter while leaving behind a professional legacy at Citizen TV. Her final message to the newsroom was clear: the work continues, the responsibilities remain and the next election will demand dedication from the journalists entrusted with informing Kenyans.
