From science graduate to unrivalled newsroom powerhouse, she redefined the face of TV anchoring against all odds
In the ever-competitive Kenyan media industry where beauty, complexion, and charisma often dictate who thrives in front of the camera, one name has defied the stereotypes and risen above the odds—Yvonne Okwara Matole. At 40, she stands tall as the undisputed queen of Kenya’s television news, commanding respect with her signature blend of authority, tenderness, and sheer intellectual firepower.
Yvonne’s story is not one of overnight success. It is a tale of grit, resilience, and unflinching determination. Born and raised in Nairobi, her formative years were shaped at All Saints Cathedral Primary School before she moved to the prestigious Kianda High School. A brilliant student by all accounts, Yvonne pursued Microbiology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)—a field far removed from the world of cameras, teleprompters, and newsroom deadlines.
Her entry into broadcasting came almost by chance when she joined the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) to host the Children’s Variety Show. At the state broadcaster, she nurtured her craft quietly, learning the ropes in an industry notoriously known to sideline women who did not fit its narrow definitions of “screen appeal.”
“It was never easy,” Yvonne once admitted. “I came into an industry where being dark-skinned was not considered beautiful. I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. But I knew my value lay in my brain and not in how I looked.”
Her voice, both literally and figuratively, soon became her biggest asset. Nation Media Group hired her in 2008 as a producer at QFM, while also deploying her voice for NTV’s Money Matters. The opportunities, though behind the scenes, cemented her reputation as a meticulous professional with sharp instincts.
By 2012, Standard Media Group came calling with a prime offer. Yvonne signed a five-year contract with KTN, a period that transformed her from a promising broadcaster into a household name. At KTN, she developed her bold and uncompromising journalistic style, unafraid to probe hard questions or challenge entrenched power structures.
“When I interview leaders, I am not there to please them,” she once told a local magazine. “I represent millions of Kenyans who want accountability. My job is to ask the questions they would want answered.”
When her contract lapsed in 2018, Yvonne made her most significant career leap yet—joining Citizen TV under Royal Media Services. It was here that her star burned brightest. She anchors prime-time bulletins with elegance and authority, hosts the hard-hitting News Night every Tuesday, and appears on the popular News Gang panel every Thursday alongside Linus Kaikai, Jamila Mohamed, and Sam Gituku.
Colleagues describe her as “the perfect balance of warmth and steel.” Viewers see in her not just a newsreader, but a trusted voice who speaks truth to power. “She is relatable yet formidable, professional yet empathetic,” one ardent viewer said.
Yet beyond the bright lights of the studio, Yvonne remains deeply private. She is married to Dr. Andrew Matole Konde, a respected veterinary surgeon, in a love story that began when Yvonne sought treatment for her pet. Their bond grew from that first meeting, culminating in an intimate wedding in December 2014 at Crown Plaza Nairobi.
To many young women, Yvonne’s journey is a blueprint of defiance against prejudice. She did not study journalism, yet mastered it. She was once overlooked because of her complexion, yet became the standard-bearer. Today, her rise embodies the belief that true talent, discipline, and intellect will always shine through the noise.
“I have always believed that journalism is not about your degree,” Yvonne said in a 2021 media forum. “It is about curiosity, honesty, and integrity. The rest you can learn on the job if you are willing to put in the hours.”
As one media commentator aptly summed up: “Yvonne Okwara Matole is not just Kenya’s top female anchor. She is a symbol of what happens when brilliance meets persistence. She has turned every barrier into a stepping stone.”
📌 FACT FILE – Yvonne Okwara Matole
Age: 40
Education: All Saints Cathedral Primary; Kianda High School; Microbiology degree, JKUAT
Career Milestones:
KBC – Children’s Variety Show host
Nation Media Group – QFM Producer, NTV voice-over artist
KTN (2012–2018) – Prime news anchor
Citizen TV (2018–present) – Prime-time anchor, host of News Night, panelist on News Gang
Family: Married to Dr. Andrew Matole Konde (since 2014)
Notable Quotes:
“I came into an industry where being dark-skinned was not considered beautiful. I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.”
“When I interview leaders, I am not there to please them. I represent millions of Kenyans who want accountability.”
“Journalism is not about your degree. It is about curiosity, honesty, and integrity.”
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