The already tense environment surrounding anti-government protests in Kenya has taken a disturbing turn, with renowned CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo alleging a direct threat to his safety and journalistic integrity. In a video statement shared on X on Monday, Madowo claimed that a Kenyan leader offered paid goons an additional Sh100,000 to assault him, smash CNN's equipment, and disrupt their coverage of the demonstrations.
Madowo’s allegations are particularly chilling as he asserted that the attackers themselves confessed on camera, admitting they had been previously hired for similar activities but were not fully compensated for their involvement in earlier protests. This purported confession sheds a disquieting light on the alleged orchestration of violence and intimidation tactics against journalists covering sensitive political events. The detailed nature of the planned attack, which included directives to "beat me up, smash our equipment, and disrupt their coverage," paints a grim picture of the risks faced by media professionals on the ground.
Madowo also decried the growing calls for his arrest emanating from certain pro-government social media accounts. These accounts have accused him of "inciting people to violence," a grave accusation that he vehemently dismissed. Madowo firmly asserted that he and his team had done nothing more than "report what's going on, call out police brutality and show people the truth." His statement underscores the critical role of independent journalism in documenting events as they unfold, particularly in contexts marked by social unrest and allegations of human rights abuses.
To further emphasize the coordinated nature of the pressure against him, Madowo revealed that a Kenyan lawmaker had also been actively advocating for his arrest. While he refrained from mentioning names, this statement is widely believed to be a reference to Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who, on Sunday, reportedly called for Madowo's arrest in a now-deleted social media post ahead of the Saba Saba protests. Such calls from elected officials send a chilling message to journalists and underscore the escalating tensions between the media and elements within the political establishment.
Madowo's allegations fit into a broader pattern of criticism leveled against international journalists by politicians allied to the ruling regime. Figures like Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have publicly criticized foreign correspondents, accusing them of biased and negative coverage of Kenya's internal affairs. Madowo, undeterred, firmly stated, "We will not be intimidated. Journalism is not a crime," reinforcing the fundamental principles of press freedom.
A prominent voice in covering anti-government protests and human rights violations in Kenya, Madowo also took the opportunity to clarify his absence from the streets during Monday's Saba Saba protests. He explained that he was unavailable due to a previously scheduled work assignment in Nigeria, emphasizing that his primary role is that of an international correspondent, not solely a Kenyan one. This clarification aimed to pre-empt any misinterpretations or criticisms regarding his physical presence during the critical protests.
