Yvonne Okwara has left Citizen TV after eight years at the leading Kenyan television station, bringing an important chapter of her journalism career to an end. The veteran journalist announced her departure during her final broadcast on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as she reflected on her professional journey and expressed gratitude to the viewers and colleagues who supported her over the years. Her announcement marks a significant moment for one of Kenya’s recognised media personalities, whose career in journalism spans two decades. Okwara used the occasion to acknowledge the people who have been part of her journey while signalling that she intends to pursue new opportunities. Her departure has drawn attention to her next move and what the future holds for a journalist who has spent much of her professional life informing audiences and contributing to public conversations.
During her final broadcast, Okwara reflected on her eight years at Citizen TV and the experiences that shaped her time at the station. She thanked viewers for their continued support, recognising the role audiences play in the work of journalists and television presenters. She also expressed appreciation for her colleagues, whose contributions helped shape her experience in the newsroom. Her farewell provided an opportunity to acknowledge the professional relationships and shared experiences that defined her time at the station. Although leaving a familiar workplace can mark the end of an important period, Okwara’s remarks suggested that she views the transition as an opportunity to pursue something new.
The journalist made it clear that her departure should not be interpreted as the end of her professional ambitions. Instead, she described the move as the beginning of another chapter in her career, indicating that she still has more to accomplish. Her message reflected a forward-looking approach to professional growth and the willingness to embrace new challenges after years in an established role. For a journalist with 20 years of experience in the media industry, the decision to leave a major television station represents a significant transition. However, Okwara’s words suggested that she is approaching the change with a clear sense of purpose rather than treating it as a final farewell to the industry.
“I’m not done building. I’m simply moving to build something else,” she said. The statement captured the central message of her announcement and offered a glimpse into how she views the next stage of her professional journey. Rather than focusing solely on what she is leaving behind, Okwara emphasised the possibilities that lie ahead. Her choice of words also suggested that the skills, experience and professional relationships she has developed over the years will continue to play a role in whatever she pursues next. While she did not specify her next destination in the announcement described, her remarks made it clear that she intends to remain focused on building something beyond her current position.
Okwara’s eight-year tenure at Citizen TV forms a substantial part of her two-decade career in the media industry. Over the years, journalists working at major television stations develop experience in reporting, interviewing, analysing current affairs and communicating complex issues to broad audiences. Such responsibilities demand preparation, sound judgement and the ability to respond to rapidly changing news developments. A journalist’s professional identity is also shaped by interactions with viewers, colleagues and the wider public. For Okwara, leaving Citizen TV creates an opportunity to draw on her accumulated experience while considering new ways to contribute to journalism or other professional ventures.
Her departure also highlights the changes that can occur in the careers of experienced media professionals. Television journalists may spend years developing their skills and establishing themselves within a particular newsroom before deciding to explore different opportunities. These transitions can involve new professional responsibilities, different ways of communicating with audiences or projects that extend beyond traditional broadcasting. However, the specific direction Okwara intends to take remains unclear based on the details of her farewell announcement. It would therefore be premature to assume that she is joining another television station, launching a media company or leaving journalism altogether. What is clear is that she considers her departure a transition towards a new undertaking rather than the conclusion of her ambitions.
For Citizen TV, Okwara’s exit marks the departure of a journalist who spent eight years working at the station. Changes involving familiar television personalities often prompt viewers to reflect on the role those journalists have played in their news-watching routines. Audiences can develop a sense of familiarity with presenters who regularly appear on their screens, particularly when those journalists become part of their daily engagement with current affairs. A departure can therefore represent more than a change in newsroom personnel, as it also introduces an adjustment for viewers accustomed to seeing a particular face on television. Nevertheless, the long-term implications for Citizen TV’s programming and newsroom arrangements cannot be determined from the announcement alone.
Okwara’s 20 years in the media industry also provide important context for understanding the significance of this career transition. Two decades in journalism can bring extensive professional experience, a deeper understanding of public affairs and familiarity with the demands of working in a fast-moving information environment. The industry itself continues to evolve as audiences consume news through television, digital platforms and social media. These changes create opportunities for experienced journalists to explore different formats and approaches to storytelling, although the direction each individual takes depends on their own plans and priorities. Okwara’s emphasis on building something else leaves room for several possibilities, but her next move will need to be confirmed before its nature can be established.
Her farewell message also carries a broader lesson about professional development and the decisions people make after spending years in a particular role. Leaving an established position can require a willingness to embrace uncertainty, reconsider familiar routines and pursue goals that may not fit within an existing career structure. Okwara’s statement communicates that professional growth does not necessarily stop when someone leaves a prominent workplace. Instead, experience gained over many years can provide a foundation for new projects and responsibilities. By describing her departure as the beginning of another chapter, she placed the emphasis on future possibilities rather than simply looking back at her achievements.
As Yvonne Okwara moves beyond her eight-year tenure at Citizen TV, attention will naturally turn to what she chooses to pursue next. Her farewell has confirmed her departure from the station and highlighted her intention to continue building her professional future. However, until further details emerge, the nature of her next undertaking remains unknown. What stands out is the combination of gratitude for the past and determination to embrace the future that shaped her final broadcast. After 20 years in the media industry, Okwara’s decision to begin another chapter marks a significant transition in her career, with her own words making one thing clear: she believes there is still more to accomplish.
