Salary and Allowances Yvonne Okwara Is Set to Earn in New Job at UK Firm

Veteran Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara has landed a new leadership position at Shuga Global, days after exiting Citizen TV, where she worked for more than eight years.

Okwara has been appointed Head of Investments and Partnerships at the UK-headquartered nonprofit organisation. Her appointment was announced on Wednesday, October 28, marking a new chapter in her career after years in broadcast journalism.

At Citizen TV, Okwara was among the station’s prominent journalists, anchoring and hosting several programmes, including The Explainer.

Shuga Global, formerly known as the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, uses mass media and storytelling to promote youth health and social change. The organisation operates across several countries, with offices and hubs in the UK, the United States, South Africa and Nairobi.

In her new role, Okwara is expected to lead efforts to establish strategic partnerships, attract investment and strengthen the organisation’s financial sustainability as it seeks to diversify its funding sources beyond traditional grants.

Although Shuga Global has not revealed how much it will pay the former Citizen TV anchor, estimates based on comparable positions in the nonprofit sector suggest she could earn a substantial monthly package.

Similar senior partnership and fundraising positions at UK-based nonprofits typically attract annual salaries of between £45,000 and £65,000, with some international organisations offering up to £80,000.

At the prevailing exchange rate of approximately KSh 172 to KSh 173 per pound, salaries for comparable senior positions could translate to hundreds of thousands of shillings monthly.

Based on her experience, the responsibilities attached to the position and Shuga Global’s international operations, Okwara’s estimated monthly compensation could range between KSh 850,000 and KSh 1.2 million, potentially including additional benefits.

However, the actual package remains unknown and could vary depending on whether her employment contract is managed through the organisation’s UK headquarters, Nairobi office or a hybrid arrangement.

The figures are market-based estimates and have not been confirmed by Okwara or Shuga Global.

@janenyaboke [email protected]