As one of Kenya's most recognisable television journalists prepares to sign off, her career is a reminder that credibility is built one broadcast at a time.
Some television personalities become familiar faces in our living rooms. Others become synonymous with the institution they represent. Yvonne Okwara belongs to the second group. For two decades she has helped shape Kenya's television news landscape, earning recognition for her composure, incisive questioning and ability to handle difficult conversations without losing the seriousness that journalism demands.
If she signs off from Citizen Television tonight, as reported, her departure will mark more than the end of a professional chapter. It is a moment to reflect on a journalist whose work has contributed to the public's understanding of politics, governance, leadership and the issues affecting ordinary Kenyans.
Twenty years is a long time in a profession where the news cycle never sleeps and the pressure to stay relevant is constant. Journalism demands more than reading a teleprompter. It requires preparation, discipline, curiosity, emotional intelligence and the courage to ask questions that powerful people would rather avoid.
At its best, television journalism is not a performance designed to flatter those in authority. It is a public service that demands explanations, tests claims and gives citizens the information they need to make informed decisions. A journalist sitting across from a politician or official carries considerable responsibility. Every question must be relevant, every assertion treated carefully, and every interview must balance firmness with fairness.
Okwara's interviewing style has often reflected a determination to move beyond rehearsed statements and invite substantive answers. In a political environment where officials are often more comfortable giving speeches than facing scrutiny, that matters. Accountability is not rudeness, and politeness is not a reason to abandon scrutiny. The public deserves journalists who can stay respectful while insisting that questions are answered.
For young journalists, this may be the most valuable lesson of her career: authority in a newsroom is established not by raising one's voice, but by preparation, accuracy, confidence and command of the subject.
Behind the polished studio presentation is a profession that consumes time and emotional energy. News breaks at inconvenient hours, interviews must be researched, scripts checked and developments followed even when the country has switched off its television sets. The public sees the finished broadcast, rarely the preparation behind it.
Kenyan television journalism has also changed greatly during her career. Digital platforms have altered how audiences consume news, social media has accelerated the spread of information and competition for attention has grown. A mistake can now travel widely before a correction reaches the same audience. Longevity in that environment is meaningful, although a long career must ultimately be judged by the quality, fairness and public value of the work.
Okwara's work has also extended beyond the anchor's desk. Programmes such as The Explainer and News Gang gave audiences deeper examination of national issues, and her experience moderating the 2017 presidential debate shows the neutrality, preparation and control that such assignments require. She has also pursued further professional development and taken part in advisory and professional initiatives, which suggests that a journalist's influence need not end when the cameras are switched off.
Her departure is also an opportunity to look at the state of journalism in Kenya. The country needs journalists who are independent-minded, well prepared and willing to question all sides of the political divide. It needs newsrooms that protect editorial independence, invest in research and resist sacrificing accuracy for speed or sensationalism.
It also needs a deliberate effort to nurture young journalists. Experience should not disappear when a veteran leaves a programme but should be passed on through mentorship, training and editorial guidance. No single journalist can guarantee the health of an industry. Institutions, editorial policies, working conditions and the willingness of media owners to defend credible journalism matter just as much.
If Okwara's exit from Citizen Television is confirmed as permanent, the question is not only who will take her seat, but how the industry will preserve and build on the standards audiences have come to expect.
There is something symbolic about a journalist signing off. For years, the closing words of a broadcast have marked the end of another day of national conversations. Careers, however, are measured by the work done, the standards upheld, the questions asked, and the people inspired. The next chapter may bring opportunities beyond daily television, in journalism, leadership, research or mentorship.
Twenty years in journalism is not only a milestone to celebrate but an invitation to reflect on what journalism should be: a profession grounded in truth, guided by fairness and committed to serving the public rather than flattering power.
Ashford Kimani is a teacher of English and Literature and writes on education and social affairs.
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