Renowned Kenyan journalist and CNN correspondent Larry Madowo has firmly declined growing public calls urging him to contest for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The suggestion came from a user on social media platform X, who proposed that Madowo should consider running for president, saying he could make an excellent leader. In response, Madowo quickly shut down the idea with a firm reply, “Immediately No!”
Although he did not give a detailed explanation for his refusal, Madowo appeared to suggest that the constant criticism leaders face might be one of the reasons he’s not interested.
He referenced the frequent backlash against President William Ruto, saying, “You elect me, and then little by little we hear ‘Madowo Must Go?’”
Madowo’s name possibly came up due to his consistent role in holding the government accountable and highlighting issues affecting ordinary Kenyans.
Over the years, he has gained public admiration for using his platform to shed light on government failures and demanding answers from public officials.
A notable example of his activism is his coverage of the problems facing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), one of East and Central Africa’s busiest airports.
He openly criticized the poor state of the airport, including leaking roofs and frequent blackouts, and questioned why the government had not built canopies to protect travelers accessing different terminals.
His criticisms caught the attention of government officials, particularly then-Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Murkomen fired back at Madowo, accusing him of focusing too much on the negatives and implying that the journalist was suddenly concerned now that he lived abroad.
“I saw Larry filming at the airport, and I was laughing. He was with us for decades when the airport looked like that. Now that he lives overseas, suddenly he notices there’s no shade outside JKIA,” Murkomen remarked during a past statement.
Beyond airport matters, Madowo has also built a reputation for covering politically sensitive topics, especially anti-government protests.
In 2023, he returned to Kenya to report on demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill, capturing scenes of police brutality and sharing them widely with the world.
Following his coverage of the protests, Madowo revealed that he received a series of threatening messages from unknown individuals. While the messages contained insults and intimidation, the motives behind them were unclear.
More recently, in June 2025, Madowo managed to fly back to Kenya—despite experiencing travel challenges in London—to cover the highly anticipated June 25 protests. His arrival excited many Kenyans online, who had called for him to document the demonstrations.
On the ground, protesters warmly received him, showing so much enthusiasm that Madowo had to politely ask them to give him space so he could continue filming without affecting the video quality.
However, his return to the streets also brought him into conflict once again with government officials, including Kipchumba Murkomen—who now serves as Interior Cabinet Secretary.
After the June 25 commemorative protests, Murkomen criticized Madowo and other Kenyan journalists working with international media.
He accused them of reporting more cautiously in Western countries but using a biased and overly critical approach when covering events in Kenya.
Despite the repeated criticism and threats, Larry Madowo has remained firm in his stance. He insists that he will always stay true to his journalistic values, reporting stories as they unfold without changing the narrative to suit any side.
According to Madowo, his duty is to inform the public truthfully and objectively—whether or not that ruffles feathers in government.
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