Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara has dismissed reports suggesting that she will relocate to London following her appointment as Head of Investments and Partnerships at Shuga Global. The former Citizen TV news anchor clarified that she will remain based in Nairobi, where the organisation has moved its global headquarters. Her clarification comes shortly after she officially ended her eight-and-a-half-year career at Citizen TV, marking a major transition from broadcast journalism into leadership within the creative and social impact sector. Okwara’s new appointment has attracted attention in Kenya’s media industry, particularly because of her long-standing reputation as one of the country’s prominent television journalists. While speculation about her relocation circulated following the announcement, she has made it clear that her new position does not require her to move to the United Kingdom.
In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Okwara directly addressed the reports about her alleged move to London. She dismissed the claims and explained that she would continue working from Nairobi. According to the journalist, Shuga Global had shifted its global headquarters to Nairobi, making it possible for her to take up the new position without relocating. Her clarification puts an end to speculation that had emerged because of the organisation’s international background and its previous association with London. It also highlights Nairobi’s importance as the base for Shuga Global’s operations.
Okwara’s departure from Citizen TV took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when she signed off live on air during her final appearance on The Explainer. Her exit brought an end to eight and a half years at the Royal Media Services television station. During her time at Citizen TV, she established herself as a respected news anchor and business editor, earning recognition for her approach to journalism and current affairs coverage. She was a familiar face on Tonight and also featured prominently on the News Gang political discussion programme. Her work included high-profile political interviews and moderating presidential debates, placing her among the prominent journalists covering Kenya’s political and economic developments.
Her farewell marked more than the departure of a familiar television personality. Okwara had spent years covering major national conversations and helping audiences understand political, economic and social issues. Through her work as a news anchor and business editor, she developed a reputation for engaging with complex subjects and asking questions that mattered to the public. Her presence on News Gang also gave her a platform to participate in discussions about governance, leadership and accountability. Leaving Citizen TV therefore represents a significant change for both the journalist and the audiences who followed her work.
Just one day after her departure from Citizen TV, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Shuga Global announced Okwara’s appointment as its new Head of Investments and Partnerships. The position will see her take on responsibilities that differ considerably from her previous newsroom work. She will lead efforts to establish strategic partnerships, identify investment opportunities and mobilise resources to expand the organisation’s youth-focused programmes. Her responsibilities will also include supporting the development of sustainable funding models. This is particularly important as Shuga Global seeks to reduce its historical dependence on traditional grant funding and strengthen its long-term financial sustainability.
Shuga Global is a creative industry organisation known for using storytelling, media and youth engagement to address social challenges affecting young people. The organisation was formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation before adopting the Shuga Global name in April 2026. It is also behind the widely recognised Shuga drama franchise, which uses entertainment and compelling stories to encourage conversations about sexual health, HIV prevention and other issues affecting young people. Its approach combines creative content with social impact initiatives designed to reach audiences through accessible forms of communication. The organisation’s work demonstrates how television, film and other media platforms can contribute to public awareness and youth development.
Okwara’s appointment places her in a position where her experience in media, communication and public engagement can support the organisation’s broader objectives. Her new responsibilities will require her to work with partners, identify opportunities for investment and help secure resources for programmes. Building sustainable partnerships is essential for organisations that want to expand their impact while maintaining financial stability. It also requires an understanding of how to communicate an organisation’s mission to potential investors and collaborators. Okwara’s transition from journalism into this leadership role marks a new professional direction after years of working in broadcast media.
The appointment also reflects the growing connection between the media industry and the wider creative economy. Journalists and media professionals often develop skills that extend beyond traditional broadcasting, including communication, public engagement, research and relationship building. These abilities can be valuable in organisations that rely on storytelling and partnerships to achieve social objectives. Okwara’s move shows how experience gained in a newsroom can create opportunities in other sectors. Her new role will place her on the organisational and investment side of the creative industry rather than in front of television cameras.
The reports about a possible move to London appear to have been influenced by Shuga Global’s historical association with the United Kingdom. However, Okwara’s clarification establishes that she will remain in Nairobi because the organisation has shifted its global headquarters there. This detail is important because it distinguishes the organisation’s international reach from the location where its leadership and operations are based. Her appointment is therefore an opportunity to take on a new leadership position while remaining in Kenya. It also places her within an organisation whose work extends beyond national borders.
For Okwara, the move marks the end of a long period in broadcast journalism and the beginning of a different professional chapter. Her departure from Citizen TV followed approximately 20 years on the frontline of broadcast journalism, according to the details surrounding her career transition. Rather than leaving the media and creative industries entirely, she is moving into a role that connects communication, investment and social impact. Her appointment at Shuga Global will give her an opportunity to contribute to youth-focused programmes through partnerships and sustainable funding strategies. By dismissing the London relocation rumours and confirming that she remains based in Nairobi, Yvonne Okwara has clarified an important detail about her next career move while drawing attention to her new role in the creative industry.
