Editor's Review

Okwara surprised the Kina actor during a live set to thank him for offering her the first job in media 17 years ago.

Citizen TV Anchor Yvonne Okwara moved Media Personality Jimmy Gathu to tears in an emotional reunion. 

In a move to recognize individuals who helped her career journey in media, Okwara surprised the Kina actor during a live set to thank him for offering her the first job in media 17 years ago.

"I recently got the chance to say thanks to the one and only @jimmigathu for giving me my first big break in my career 17 years ago. For being in my corner ever since, for celebrating my wins, for standing with me when things were tough. Gathu trusted her when no one else would after a phone interview and guided her in the career path on the dynamics to who she is today," Okwara stated. 

Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara  thanks her mentor Jimmy Gathu during a surprise momenht at Kina live shooting. [photo: Jimmy Gathu/ Instagram]

The Citizen TV anchor added, “You gave me a chance when no one else would. I don’t think anyone knows this, but it was on the phone, and I remember it was about Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross. You said, you sound really good, come on tomorrow and let’s meet my boss." 

Okwara disclosed how she pondered on what gift to give the celebrated actor, whether a car or house, but settled for an 18-year bottle of whiskey.

“So I got you this Johnie Walker Whisky, 18 years…. almost the time I have worked in media as I have done 17…, may every drink you take of this represent all of the years for me, and its not just me, you know Jimmy you got so many of us started.”

Gathu admitted that he was caught off-guard by Okwara while on set. 

“Kuna huu msemo wahenga walisema..."tenda wema, nenda zako"...Kwa career yangu kuna watu walipitia mikono yangu ya kuDiscover talent..kuona au kuskia kitu watu wengi wa hii industry hua hawaoni...Na ata hivyo, sio wengi hurudi kusema ahsante...na ni sawa hivyo juu me nikiwa na uwezo wa kupatia mtu opportunity ya kueneza talent yake, me hufanya vile naweza kumsaidia mtu...nikiweza...nikiwa na hio nguvu au position ya kumsaidia mtu..Anyway, ka'a vile nimesema, wachache hurudi kusema Asante. Yvonne Okwara is one of the few who did so juzi..a surprise visit that completely caught me off guard, aki."