This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
Kenyan media personality Yvonne Okwara has sparked a heated conversation on social media about the prevalence of colourism in the country's mainstream media industry.
According to Okwara, dark-skinned women are often held to a higher standard than their light-skinned counterparts, with many being expected to be smarter or more talented to compensate for their skin tone.
Okwara shared her personal experience of facing colourism in the industry, stating that she has been expected to be 'twice as smart' as her light-skinned colleagues to get ahead.
She also highlighted the impact of colourism on dark-skinned women, saying that it can lead to feelings of exhaustion and frustration.
Okwara's comments have resonated with many Kenyans, with some sharing their own experiences of facing colourism in the workplace.
One user, @judithmwobobia, shared her experience of being a dark-skinned journalist in the industry, stating that she has had to work twice as hard to prove herself.
Another user, @petronillahorina, shared a personal anecdote about her father telling her that she needed to work hard because she wasn't pretty.
Okwara's comments have sparked a wider conversation about the need to address colourism in Kenyan society, with many calling for greater awareness and understanding of the issue.
