Former Citizen TV news anchor Yvonne Okwara has secured a new role as Head of Investments and Partnerships at Shuga Global, barely 24 hours after announcing her departure from journalism on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Shuga Global announced her appointment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, marking a swift transition from a 20-year career in broadcast journalism to a leadership position focused on investment mobilisation, fundraising and strategic partnerships.
In her new role, Okwara will lead efforts to attract investment, build relationships with development partners and mobilise resources for programmes targeting young people. Her appointment comes as the organisation rebrands, expands its international presence and seeks to reduce its dependence on traditional grant funding.
The organisation described Okwara as a seasoned communications professional whose experience extends beyond television journalism into corporate communications, fundraising, business, policy and government relations.
“Shuga Global understands that our communities need opportunities for expanded reach beyond grant-dependency. This is why we are beyond excited to introduce our new Head of Investments and Partnerships, Yvonne Okwara,” the organisation said.
What Okwara will be responsible for
In her new position, Okwara will lead efforts to develop strategic partnerships, attract investment and mobilise financial and other resources to support Shuga Global’s youth-focused programmes.
Her responsibilities will include identifying potential funding opportunities, building relationships with investors and development institutions, strengthening institutional collaborations and helping the organisation diversify its sources of income.
She will also be expected to communicate Shuga Global’s mission and priorities to prospective partners and help secure the resources required to sustain and expand its programmes.
The organisation said she would draw on her expertise in business, policy and social impact to build strategic relationships, unlock funding and mobilise resources as it expands its global reach.
Her performance will ultimately be assessed through the partnerships developed, resources secured and contribution these make to the organisation’s long-term sustainability and programmes.
The qualities behind her new appointment
Okwara built her reputation at Citizen TV through confident news presentation, incisive political interviews and a direct approach to questions of governance, public policy and national development.
Her professional strengths have included clear communication, critical analysis, composure under pressure and the ability to engage senior public figures on complex issues. These qualities could prove valuable in a position requiring her to present an organisation’s priorities convincingly, negotiate relationships and persuade potential partners to support its work.
Her experience explaining complicated national issues to broad audiences may also help her communicate Shuga Global’s objectives to investors, policymakers and development institutions.
However, the new position will require more than public recognition and communication skills. Investment mobilisation demands an understanding of funding models, partnership agreements, organisational priorities and the evidence needed to demonstrate programme impact.
Her appointment signals Shuga Global’s confidence in her ability to apply her professional experience in this new environment.
Shuga Global'S funding and expansion strategy
The appointment comes as Shuga Global pursues a rebranding exercise and seeks to strengthen its international presence while reducing reliance on conventional grant funding.
For development organisations, dependence on a narrow range of funding sources can complicate long-term planning. Diversifying income and establishing strategic partnerships can create additional opportunities to sustain programmes and reach more communities.
Okwara’s role will be central to that effort. By identifying prospective partners and mobilising resources, she is expected to help broaden the organisation’s financial base and support its work with young people.
Shuga Global has also credited her with contributing to changes in Kenya’s media landscape and participating in development partnerships that have affected communities across different regions.
The organisation has not specified investment targets or the amount of funding she is expected to raise.
The end of a two-decade journalism career
On Tuesday, October 27, Okwara announced that she was leaving journalism after approximately 20 years in the profession. The following day, Shuga Global publicly announced her appointment, placing the two developments less than a day apart.
During her time at Citizen TV, she became a familiar face to Kenyan audiences through news presentation, political interviews and discussions on national affairs. Her interviewing style and willingness to press public figures for answers helped establish her as one of Kenya’s prominent television journalists.
Her departure marks a change in professional responsibilities. In journalism, her work involved questioning public officials, examining policy decisions and informing audiences. At Shuga Global, she will be expected to build partnerships, attract resources and support the organisation’s development objectives.
Okwara’s appointment gives her an opportunity to translate her professional experience and public profile into tangible results for Shuga Global.
The immediate test will be whether she can help secure sustainable funding, establish productive partnerships and support the organisation’s ambition to reach more young people.
For Shuga Global, success will depend not only on attracting resources but also on demonstrating how those resources strengthen its programmes and deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities it serves.
For Okwara, the next chapter will be defined by the partnerships she builds, the resources she helps mobilise and the impact those resources support.
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