Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara has joined Shuga Global as Head of Investments and Partnerships, taking her career from the newsroom into the non-profit sector.
Shuga Global announced the appointment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, less than a day after Okwara confirmed her exit from Citizen TV, ending a two-decade career in broadcast journalism.
She spent eight years at the station, anchoring prime-time news, hosting current affairs programs, and serving as Business Editor.
In her new role, Okwara will lead efforts to build partnerships, attract investment, and secure funding for Shuga Global’s youth programs.
The organization said her experience in corporate communications, fundraising, government relations, business, and social impact will help support its long-term sustainability.
“Yvonne will leverage her expertise in business, policy, and social impact to build strategic relationships, unlock funding, and mobilize resources,” the organization said in an announcement shared on LinkedIn.
The appointment comes as Shuga Global looks to widen its reach and lean less on traditional grant funding. Formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, the organization adopted the Shuga Global name in July 2026 as part of a broader rebrand.
Shuga Global is an independent non-profit that promotes young people’s health and well-being through storytelling, community engagement, and training.
It produces films, TV series, and other media covering sexual and reproductive health, HIV, gender-based violence, and gender norms.
Shuga Global takes its name from the MTV Shuga drama series, which launched in Kenya in 2009 and has since been adapted for audiences in other regions.
The organization works with NGOs, service providers, local production companies, and young creators to reach communities and help young people make informed decisions.
