Yvonne Okwara officially ended her eight‑and‑a‑half‑year stint at Citizen TV on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, signing off live during her final episode of The Explainer.

The next day, Shuga Global announced her appointment as Head of Investments and Partnerships, a role that will see her lead strategic partnership development, scout investment opportunities and mobilise resources for the organisation’s youth‑focused programmes.

Media reports quickly suggested the new position would require Okwara to relocate to London, prompting her to issue a clarification that she will remain based in Nairobi.

Okwara explained that although Shuga Global is headquartered in London, the organisation’s global base has shifted to Nairobi, making her appointment a local one.

Shuga Global, rebranded from the MTV Staying Alive Foundation in April 2026, uses storytelling and media to address sexual health, HIV prevention and broader social challenges affecting young people.

Part of Okwara’s mandate will involve steering Shuga Global toward more sustainable funding models, reducing its historic reliance on traditional grants.

Former Citizen TV boss Linus Kaikai expressed sadness at losing Okwara from his newsroom, noting the significant impact she made during her tenure.