Yvonne Okwara Changes News Bulletin After Outcry

Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara, detailed how the station was forced to adjust the news bulletin after a public outcry. 

On Thursday, November 21, during the News Gang segment, Okwara responded to members of the public who had lamented about how a previous news bulletin had been dominated by tragic news including murder and rape

Her colleague Jamila Mohamed had stated that the media were accused of giving too much attention to sad stories. According to her, the state of the Kenyan society was worrying, as people did not seem to worry about human life. That brought to question the mental health of Kenyans, and the need to address it.

"In the newsroom today, we really did try to look at our news bulletin and to tamper with it a little bit. No doubt there are horrific stories but they must be told, as that is what is happening in the society

"The president even in the Cabinet meeting had a task force look into the mental issues and try and fix the situation," Okwara asserted as Francis Gachuri concurred that the head of state had urged Kenyans to speak out on their issues and seek help.

In November, love-related murder stories have been in the spotlight. Ex-KDF Major Peter Mugure made headlines when he was linked to the murder of his wife and two kids. In Narok, Joseph Muchiri committed suicide after police launched an investigation into the brutal murder of his wife. 

"There is courage in walking away if it is not working. Human life is valuable," Gachuri chipped in. 

"It seems to me something is broken. There needs to be a conversation that needs to take place at home. The society is looking in the mirror and is terrified by what it sees. There has to be a moment of reflection for the society," Joe Ageyo added.

On Monday, November 18, Kenya Films and Classifications Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua described local news bulletins as horror movies full of depressing, obscene scenes and vulgar language. He had alleged that there was a deliberate effort to cause depression among Kenyans with negative news.

"Almost all the top news items on Citizen TV last night were about murder, rape, negative politics and prostitution. And the manner in which the items were presented was gross. Even the presenters appeared like they were reading the news under duress," Mutua lamented. 

"Kenya is not just about corruption, negative news, sex and murder. There's so much positive development news to air. There's so much positive stuff going on. Kenya is a beautiful country with great people," he added.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, November 21, directed the Ministry of Health to establish a task force to probe the status of mental health in the country. He further stated that the findings of the task force, which would be discussed in Cabinet within 90 days, would assist the government in the allocation of resources to address the issue.

Video courtesy of Citizen TV

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