In the virtual elections on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Kananu was able to retain her position after gaining 72 votes, while her closest opponent, Citizen’s Yvonne Okwara, got 58 votes.
Francis Openda from Radio Africa Group will deputise for Kananu.
Mildred Awuor represented TV, Linda Bach represented print, Agnes Mwangangi represented radio, Julius Bosire represented academia, and Kenfrey Kiberenge represented online and digital.
Mbugua Ng’ang’a, Ruth Nesoba, and Martin Masai were also chosen as trustees.
The Annual General Meeting and elections of the Kenya Editors Guild were postponed on April 12.
A lack of quorum caused the AGM’s primary agenda item, “the elections,” to be postponed.
“A 2/3 threshold for the membership is essential. According to data gathered by the secretariat, it has not yet been accomplished. The returning officer then remarked, “We need a way forward.”
“Since the law requires the threshold, I would discourage that we continue unless members feel we can continue to wait and whip up a quorum.”
Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) had previously called on its members to actively participate and adhere to the principles of honesty, professionalism, and decency that serve as their compass.
Yvonne Okwara Concedes Defeat
After losing the Kenya Editors’ Guild presidential election, Citizen TV newsreader Yvonne Okwara posted a heartfelt message acknowledging her loss.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild elected a president two days ago, and Okwara was running against Zubeida Kananu, a newsreader for KTN.
Kananu received 72 votes against Okwara’s 58, effectively defending the seat she had been occupying. Even if the results did not meet her expectations, Okwara said in a statement following the results announcement that she is still proud of the message of rebirth her team sent.
“With all my heart and with the utmost respect for the democratic will of the membership, I hereby concede the election for President of the Kenya Editors’ Guild today.”
Okwara claimed that despite her vigorous effort, other editors decided to give Kananu another term, a decision she fully supported.
Though I had hoped for a different outcome, she added, “This has been a spirited campaign, and I accept the result with grace, and I remain proud of the message we carried – one of renewal, credibility, and collective purpose.”
Okwara went on to say that her campaign was about more than just winning; it was about reclaiming “our voice, our standards, and our shared future.”
In addition to wishing the new leadership team luck as they start their two-year term, she stated that this work will continue.
“My deepest congratulations go out to the new leadership. Your challenge is to bring the guild together and rebuild confidence in our common organization. “I hope this journey brings you courage, wisdom, and clarity,” she continued.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped me along the way for believing in me and the potential for a better Guild. This is not the end of our job.
I’m still dedicated to the principles that drew me to this contest: honesty, openness, and bolstering Kenya’s editorial autonomy.
