Shuga Global has appointed veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara as its new Head of Investments and Partnerships, placing her in charge of strengthening strategic relationships, mobilising resources and supporting the organisation’s expansion plans.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, comes a day after Okwara announced her departure from Citizen TV, where she worked for eight and a half years. Her new position marks a shift from television journalism to organisational leadership, with a focus on investment opportunities, fundraising and partnerships.
Shuga Global said Okwara would use her experience in corporate communications, government relations, business and social impact to help the organisation secure funding and establish relationships that support its long-term objectives.
The organisation said it wanted to expand its reach beyond traditional grant funding and develop a more sustainable financial model to support its programmes.
“Shuga Global understands that our communities need opportunities for expanded reach beyond grant-dependency,” the organisation said in its announcement.
It added that Okwara would help build strategic relationships, unlock funding opportunities and mobilise resources to support its work.
The organisation did not disclose the financial value of the investment opportunities it intends to pursue or set out specific fundraising targets for Okwara.
Shuga Global targets financial sustainability
Shuga Global, formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, uses storytelling, television productions and community engagement to address issues affecting young people.
The organisation became widely known through its Shuga television series, which explores subjects such as sexual health, HIV prevention, relationships and decision-making among young people.
The first season was filmed in Nairobi in 2009. Subsequent productions expanded the franchise into other markets, including Nigeria, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire.
Over time, the organisation has used different forms of media to reach audiences, combining entertainment with public health information and social development messages.
Its work places it at the intersection of media, health education and youth development, creating opportunities to work with organisations that support public health, education and community programmes.
The appointment of a dedicated head of investments and partnerships comes as Shuga Global seeks to broaden its funding base and strengthen its capacity to operate across different markets.
For organisations working in development, reliance on grants can expose programmes to changes in donor priorities and funding cycles. Building relationships with a wider range of partners can provide additional opportunities to finance projects and support longer-term planning.
Okwara’s role will involve identifying potential partners, developing strategic relationships and helping mobilise the resources needed to sustain and expand the organisation’s activities.
However, Shuga Global has not publicly detailed the funding sources it intends to prioritise, the markets it plans to enter next or the financial targets attached to its expansion strategy.
Okwara moves from journalism to business development
Okwara’s appointment follows her exit from Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 27, ending an eight-and-a-half-year stint at the broadcaster.
She joined the station in May 2018 after working at KTN News. At Citizen TV, she presented news programmes, interviewed political and business leaders and covered public policy and national affairs.
She also hosted The Explainer, a current affairs programme examining issues affecting Kenya.
Her journalism career spans more than two decades, during which she developed experience in reporting, interviewing, public communication and analysing political and economic developments.
In her new position, these skills will be applied to a different set of responsibilities, including stakeholder engagement, fundraising and partnership development.
Corporate communications and public affairs experience can help organisations present their objectives to potential funders, communicate their impact and maintain relationships with institutions that support their work. However, the success of Shuga Global’s expansion will also depend on its ability to secure funding and translate partnerships into sustained programme activity.
The appointment therefore signals a change in Okwara’s professional direction while placing her within an organisation seeking to strengthen its financial position and international reach.
Shuga Global has yet to disclose further details on the implementation of its investment strategy or the specific projects Okwara will oversee.
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