Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara broke her silence after missing on air for over two weeks. Okwara missed out on two consecutive News Gang shows usually aired on Thursdays.
She hosts the show alongside colleagues Linus Kaikai, Joe Ageyo, Francis Gachuri and Jamila Mohamed.
On Friday, July 24, Okwara disclosed that she underwent spinal surgery and has been resting for some period of time.
The anchor resorted to surgery after medicines and physiotherapy failed to save her from excruciating pain in her lower spine.
Okwara disclosed that she has been struggling with the pain for over two years.
"It has been a while and I have missed you all. I am alive and well but I needed to take a step back and look after my mind and body.
"I have been dealing with two slip discs in my lower spine which have caused excruciating, chronic pain for close to two years now. One day I will write about what it is like living with chronic pain," she posted on Instagram.
She added that she put on a brave face at work and while interacting with friends. However, the disease changed her life and mind as it was exhausting and limited her from certain activities.
One fear she lived with was that the pain always lurked in her background while she undertook her daily chores.
The anchor appreciated her followers and colleagues who wished her well and even sent her gifts after she was operated on.
"I hope to make a quick recovery and get back to doing what I love. In the meantime, stay safe. Let us avoid the stigma around Coronavirus (Covid-19)," Okwara urged.
On July 20, her colleague, Jeff Koinange also announced that he was ill after contracting Covid-19 , adding that he decided to self-isolate. The award-winning journalist later on shared his experience detailing that he was asymptomatic and had lost appetite.
The renowned media personality offered some encouragement to Kenyans by stating that more Covid-19 patients were surviving rather than dying.
