Citizen TV Newsreader Yvonne Okwara posted an emotional message conceding defeat after losing the Kenya Editors’ Guild presidential election.
Two days ago, the Kenya Editors' Guild elected a president, and Okwara was vying against KTN Newsreader Zubeida Kananu.
Kananu successfully defended the seat she had been holding by securing 72 votes to Okwara’s 58.
In a statement after the results were announced, Okwara said that even though the outcome was not what she hoped for, she remains proud of the message of renewal her team carried.
“Today, I concede the election for President of the Kenya Editors' Guild, with a full heart and with deep respect for the democratic will of the membership.”
Okwara said that she had mounted a spirited campaign, but fellow editors made their decision to give Kananu another term, a result which she accepted wholeheartedly.
“This has been a spirited campaign, and while I had hoped for a different outcome, I accept the result with grace, and I remain proud of the message we carried - one of renewal, credibility, and collective purpose,” she said.
Okwara added that her candidature was not just about winning but restoring something that matters, ‘our voice, our standards, and our shared future’.
She said this work will continue, even as she wished the new leadership team well as they begin their two-year term.
“To the incoming leadership: I extend my sincere congratulations. You have a big task ahead of you- to unite the guild and restore trust in our shared institution. I wish you wisdom, clarity, and courage in this journey," she added.
“To those who supported me, thank you for your belief, not just in me, but in the possibility of a better Guild. Our work doesn't end here. I remain committed to the values that got me into this race: integrity, transparency, and the strengthening of our editorial independence in Kenya.”
For her part, Kananu thanked the editors for trusting her with another two-year term and made it clear that her goal would be to fight for the rights of journalists in the country.
“I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful for the trust you have placed in me by electing me to serve a second term as President of our Guild," she said.
“As we begin this new chapter, I reaffirm my commitment to continue building on the progress we’ve made—with courage, inclusivity, and unwavering dedication. I am committed to working with every one of you, regardless of our backgrounds, affiliations, or viewpoints, because the strength of this Guild lies in our unity and shared resolve," she added.
Kananu will be deputized by Radio Africa’s Francis Openda.
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