Larry Madowo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Larry Madowo
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Madowo in 2023
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Larry Madowo
14 July 1987 Siaya, Kenya
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| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Education | Columbia University (MA) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Employer | CNN |
| Known for | Journalism |
Larry Madowo (born on July 14, 1987) is a well-known journalist from Kenya. He works as an International Correspondent for CNN. He also hosts shows like African Voices Changemakers and Playmakers. Before joining CNN, Larry was a North America Correspondent for the BBC. He also presented BBC World News America from Washington, DC.
Larry is known for reporting on many topics, including business, technology, current events, and politics. His work has been seen on major news channels like BBC, CNN International, Washington Post, and The Guardian. In Kenya, he was famous for hosting a popular Friday night show called #TheTrend on NTV Kenya.
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Early Life and Education
Larry Madowo grew up in different parts of Kenya, including Siaya, Kisumu, and Nairobi. He went to Usingo and Karapul primary schools. For high school, he attended St Gabriel's Seminary. At first, he thought about becoming a Catholic priest. However, by the time he finished high school, his plans had changed. He decided to study broadcast journalism in college.
In 2006, Larry started studying Communication at Daystar University in Nairobi. In 2007, he worked as an intern at a radio station called Bahasha FM, where he read news in English. Larry later left college early to take a job at Kenya Television Network (KTN).
Journalism Career
Larry Madowo quickly became a familiar face in Kenya. After three years at KTN, he moved to NTV, where he worked as a business anchor and reporter. In May 2012, he joined CNBC Africa, based in South Africa. There, he was a main anchor for market shows like Open Exchange and Power Lunch.
After about eight months at CNBC Africa, Larry returned to NTV in December 2012. This time, he worked as a technology editor and news anchor. He also went back to college and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Daystar University in June 2014.
During his second time at NTV Kenya, Larry also worked for other global news outlets. These included CNN International, France 24 English, and the BBC. In 2018, when a Kenyan newspaper did not publish his article criticizing the government, he published it on the CNN website instead. He then started writing for the Washington Post's Global Opinions page.
Working for the BBC
On April 11, 2018, it was announced that Larry Madowo was joining BBC News Africa as their Business Editor. He led a team of journalists in cities like Nairobi, London, and Lagos. He appeared on BBC World TV and BBC World Service Radio, reporting on African business.
In 2019, a radio documentary Larry presented about a Chinese-built railway in Kenya won an award. The documentary, called Raha: The Joy of the Train, won in the Daily Journalism category at the Association of International Broadcasting Awards.
Larry was chosen as a Knight-Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University in April 2019. He took a break from the BBC to study for this fellowship. He graduated from Columbia University in May 2020 with a Master of Arts degree in Business and Economics Journalism. His master's project about an African e-commerce company won an award for financial writing.
In the summer of 2020, Larry returned to the BBC in a new role as a North America Correspondent. He reported from across the United States, covering important events like the 2020 US election. He has interviewed many famous people, including presidents and global leaders.
Joining CNN
In May 2021, Larry Madowo was appointed as CNN's Nairobi correspondent. Just two months later, in July 2021, CNN promoted him to International Correspondent. This means he reports on news from all over the world for CNN.
Larry was also recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in March 2020. He has been named among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine multiple times. In December 2020, he became the first black person to give the Peter Stursberg Foreign Correspondents Lecture at Carleton University in Canada.
Views and Beliefs
Larry Madowo identifies as a Christian. However, he has also shared thoughts that suggest he is open to different ideas about faith. He has spoken about the importance of allowing people to have different views, especially regarding religious beliefs in Kenya.
He has also spoken out about racism. He has shared his experiences as a black man living in the United States.
Larry is a strong supporter of press freedom in Africa. In 2018, he faced challenges with the Kenyan government. He and two colleagues had to seek safety after a government action against private TV stations. They later regained their freedom with help from a court. Larry has said that many other African journalists face even greater dangers from their governments.
Personal Life
Larry Madowo is very active on social media. He has millions of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. His sister, Liz Madowo, is a stylist and fashion blogger. Larry also often moderates and speaks at conferences about media, technology, and business around the world.
