Yvonne Buliba Okwara Matole is a well known Kenyan television journalist, news anchor, and media consultant. Born and raised in Nairobi, she has built a career spanning more than fifteen years in radio and television, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in Kenyan broadcast media. She currently serves as a Senior News Anchor and Business Editor at Citizen TV under Royal Media Services, where she is known for her clear delivery, thorough research, and ability to handle complex political and economic stories with calm authority.
Her work has taken her far beyond the news desk. She has moderated high level national and international discussions, including Kenya’s presidential debates in 2017 and 2022, and has shared platforms with global figures in government, business, and development. Through her journey from a science graduate to a leading media personality, she has shown how curiosity, discipline, and a genuine interest in public affairs can shape a meaningful professional path.
Yvonne Okwara Early Life
Yvonne Buliba Okwara was born on March 16, 1983, in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a Kenyan national whose family roots lie in western Kenya. She belongs to the Luhya community and also has Teso heritage, a background that places her among the diverse ethnic groups of that region. Western Kenya is known for its rich cultural traditions, agricultural productivity, and strong emphasis on education and community values. These influences helped shape her sense of identity and her appreciation for clear communication.
She is the lastborn in a family of three children. Her mother is Esther Ambale Sande. Yvonne had an older brother named Albert Okwara, who lived with significant disabilities resulting from complications related to German measles. Albert was deafblind and relied heavily on family care throughout his life. He passed away in 2018 at the age of fifty. Yvonne has spoken openly about the impact of growing up with a sibling who needed constant support. The experience taught her patience, empathy, and the importance of advocating for people living with disabilities. She later honored her brother’s memory with a tattoo bearing his name and has continued to support organizations that work with persons with disabilities.
Her childhood in Nairobi combined urban exposure with the values of a family that prioritized education and responsibility. From a young age she showed an interest in communication. At around eight years old she began appearing on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation children’s programmes, including a variety show and voice over work. Those early experiences in front of a microphone planted the seed for her later career even while she pursued science studies.
Yvonne Okwara Education
Yvonne attended All Saints Cathedral Primary School in Nairobi for her early education. She then proceeded to Kianda High School, a respected girls’ school known for academic excellence and character formation. At Kianda she developed the discipline and communication skills that would later serve her well in broadcasting.
After high school she enrolled at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, with studies also covering Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry. The scientific training gave her a methodical approach to information, an ability to examine evidence carefully, and a comfort with technical subjects. Although she did not pursue a laboratory career, the analytical habits formed during her university years remain visible in her journalistic style.
She later expanded her media knowledge through the Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellowship. In more recent years she completed an Executive Master’s Degree in Media Leadership and Innovation at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications, studying between 2022 and 2024. This advanced programme strengthened her understanding of media strategy, innovation, and leadership in a rapidly changing information environment.
Yvonne Okwara Career
Yvonne’s professional path in media began long before she finished university. As a child she hosted segments on KBC children’s shows and provided voice overs, earning modest fees that felt significant at the time. She has recalled how a national minimum wage increase during the era of President Daniel arap Moi doubled her early earnings and made the work even more exciting.
Early Radio and Television Work
In 2008 she joined QFM, part of the Nation Media Group, as a radio talk show producer. She also contributed voice over work for NTV’s business programme Money Matters. These roles allowed her to develop skills in research, interviewing, and on air delivery while working across both radio and television formats.
Time at Kenya Television Network
In 2012 she signed a five year contract with Kenya Television Network. At KTN she grew rapidly, taking on anchoring duties, production responsibilities, and eventually strategic roles that involved news planning across multiple countries in the region. She has described this period as one of significant professional growth. When the contract ended in 2018 she chose not to renew it and moved to a new chapter.
Role at Citizen TV
Later in 2018 Yvonne joined Citizen TV, East Africa’s largest television channel under Royal Media Services. She became a prime time news anchor and later advanced to Senior News Anchor and Business Editor, also overseeing research and planning. At Citizen TV she has anchored major bulletins and contributed to programmes that unpack complex current affairs. Viewers know her for clear explanations of political and economic issues and for maintaining composure during live coverage of national events.
She has also provided voice overs for various television productions and continues to work as a media consultant. One of her notable consultancy roles is with Kenya’s National Defence College, where she contributes expertise on communication and media matters.
High Level Moderation and Public Engagement
Beyond daily news anchoring, Yvonne has built a strong reputation as a moderator of important discussions. In 2017 and again in 2022 she moderated Kenya’s presidential debates, helping the public hear directly from candidates on key national questions. She has facilitated panels featuring international figures such as Melinda Gates, former United States Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge, former IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu, UNAIDS leaders, Bishop T.D. Jakes, former African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka, and other leaders in finance, development, and business. These engagements have strengthened her standing as a trusted facilitator of public conversation.
She chairs the Advisory Board of Africa Uncensored, an independent investigative media organization founded by experienced Kenyan journalists. She also sits on the ENACTUS Business Advisory Council, which supports university students in developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills. In addition she serves as a board member of CBM Kenya, an organization focused on improving the lives of persons with disabilities, and as a Board Member of ICRW Africa.
Yvonne Okwara Awards and Recognition
In 2023 Yvonne was voted the best female English television anchor in Kenya. This recognition reflected years of consistent performance, professional growth, and public appreciation for her work. She is frequently described as an award winning broadcaster and communications expert. Her selection as a Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellow further underscored her standing among media professionals on the continent. These honors sit alongside the quiet respect she has earned from colleagues and audiences for reliability and depth.
Yvonne Okwara Personal Life
Yvonne married Andrew Matole Konde, a veterinary surgeon, in December 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi. The couple met when she took a sick pet for treatment. Their wedding was a private, invite only event. For several years she used the name Yvonne Okwara Matole in professional and public settings. Reports in later years indicated that the marriage had ended, and she has since returned to using Yvonne Okwara more consistently while maintaining privacy about personal matters.
She has spoken about her decision not to have children, stating that motherhood is a personal choice and that she is comfortable with the path she has chosen. Her focus remains on her career, public service through media, and family connections, including the lasting influence of her late brother Albert and the care her mother provided.
Yvonne is known to value fitness and health, and she maintains an active presence on social media where she shares professional insights and occasional personal reflections. She lives in Nairobi and continues to balance the demands of a high profile media career with private life.
Yvonne Okwara Contributions Beyond the News Desk
Outside the studio, Yvonne has used her platform to support causes related to disability inclusion, youth entrepreneurship, and independent journalism. Her board roles with CBM Kenya, Africa Uncensored, and ENACTUS reflect a commitment to practical impact. As a media consultant she helps institutions strengthen their communication practices. Her scientific background continues to inform her approach, allowing her to explain technical subjects in accessible language for ordinary viewers.
She has also demonstrated the value of lifelong learning by returning to formal study for her master’s degree while maintaining a full professional schedule. This combination of continuous education and practical experience has helped her remain relevant in an industry that changes quickly with technology and audience habits.
Yvonne Okwara Influence on Kenyan Media
As one of the most visible female journalists in Kenya, Yvonne has contributed to greater representation of women in prime time news and high stakes political coverage. Her calm style and focus on facts offer a model for younger journalists entering the field. Through programmes that explain complex issues and through her moderation of national debates, she has helped expand the space for informed public discussion. Colleagues and viewers often note her preparation and her ability to ask clear questions without unnecessary drama.
Her journey from children’s television to senior editorial roles also illustrates the long arc that many media careers follow. Early opportunities at KBC, steady growth through radio and smaller television roles, strategic moves between major stations, and eventual leadership positions show the importance of persistence and adaptability.
Conclusion
Yvonne Buliba Okwara Matole has built a respected career through steady work, careful preparation, and a willingness to take on challenging assignments. From her early days on children’s programmes to her current role as a senior anchor and editor at Citizen TV, she has remained committed to clear and accurate communication. Her scientific education, combined with years of practical media experience and advanced study, has equipped her to handle both technical subjects and political conversations with equal skill. Through moderation of presidential debates, engagement with global leaders, and service on boards focused on disability, youth, and independent journalism, she has extended her influence beyond the newsroom. Her story continues to unfold as she contributes to Kenyan media and public life with professionalism and quiet determination.
FAQs
What is Yvonne Okwara’s full name and date of birth?
Her full name is Yvonne Buliba Okwara Matole. She was born on March 16, 1983, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Where is Yvonne Okwara from and what is her ethnic background?
She was born in Nairobi and is a Kenyan national. Her family roots are in western Kenya, and she has Luhya and Teso heritage.
What is Yvonne Okwara’s educational background?
She attended All Saints Cathedral Primary School and Kianda High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and later completed an Executive Master’s Degree in Media Leadership and Innovation at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications. She is also a Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellow.
Where does Yvonne Okwara currently work?
She is a Senior News Anchor and Business Editor at Citizen TV, part of Royal Media Services, and also oversees research and planning.
Has Yvonne Okwara moderated important national events?
Yes. She moderated Kenya’s presidential debates in both 2017 and 2022 and has facilitated numerous high level panels with international leaders in government, finance, and development.
Is Yvonne Okwara married and does she have children?
She married Andrew Matole, a veterinary surgeon, in 2014. Reports indicate the marriage later ended. She has no children and has stated that she is comfortable with that personal choice.
What awards has Yvonne Okwara received?
In 2023 she was voted the best female English television anchor in Kenya. She is widely recognized as an award winning broadcaster and communications expert.
What other roles does Yvonne Okwara hold outside anchoring?
She chairs the Advisory Board of Africa Uncensored, sits on the ENACTUS Business Advisory Council, serves as a board member of CBM Kenya and ICRW Africa, and works as a media consultant for Kenya’s National Defence College.