Citizen TV news anchor, Yvonne Okwara, left media personality Jimmy Gathu in tears after she surprised him on set while shooting his TV show, Kina.
On Wednesday, Okwara visited Gathu at his workplace to thank him for giving her a chance to join the media 17 years ago.
She thanked Gathu for taking a chance on her after a phone interview and taking her under his wings to teach and train her on how to navigate the media world at the start of her career.
“You gave me a chance when no one else would, I don’t think anyone knows this but it was on phone, and I remember it was about Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross. You said, you sound really good, come on let’s meet my boss," she stated.
"You never ever call me Yvonne, you know what you call me. Thank you for showing us that wasee wa mtaa (anyone) can make it."
Gathu broke down while Okwara recalled how he was kind to her. She also remembered how the opportunity opened doors for the late Lorna Irungu.
“Thank you for being the star you are, thank you for teaching us that you can be all these things,” Okwara stated.
She presented Gathu with an 18-year whiskey as a symbol of how long she has been in the media, all because of the opportunity he gave her.
"So I got you this... may every drink you take of this represent all of the years for me, and it's not just me, you know Jimmy you got so many of us started,” the Citizen TV anchor stated while presenting Gathu with the drink.
Gathu took to social media where he posted the video and stated that although he discovered many talents, few have gone back to thank him and noted that Okwara's action was a rare moment and that is why it got him emotional.
He admitted that the surprise caught him off guard and he was grateful to Okwara for taking out time to visit him and share a special moment. Gathu expressed how proud he was on the growth of the Citizen TV journalist.
"In my career, there are people who passed through my hands. If I am able to help someone and give them the opportunity to enhance their talents, I do that and I do everything I can to help that person.
"Like I said, Yvonne Okwara is one of the few who did so recently in a surprise visit that completely caught me off guard," Gathu concluded.
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