Larry Madowo is a well-known journalist and news anchor from Kenya who has achieved international recognition for his work. He is regarded as one of Africa’s most prominent journalists, impressing audiences with his intelligent reporting and engaging presence on global platforms. In this blog, we’ll look at Larry Madowo’s life, personal life, career, and his continued influence in the media industry.
Quick Facts
| Name | Larry Madowo |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1987 |
| Tribe | Luo |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Maritial Status | Single |
| Children | None |
| Birthplace | Siaya Kenya |
| Social Media Accounts | Fb, X, Instagram |
Little Known Facts About Larry Madowo
Early Life
Larry Madowo was born on July 14, 1987, in Barding Village, Siaya County, Kenya. Madowo lost his father when he was seven years old, which presented serious difficulties early in life. Madowo grew up in a modest home. His mother, Treazer Anyango Madowo, raised him and his sister, working hard to support them.
His mother was a primary school teacher and divisional Knut official.
Larry Madowo’s mother died in 2001, leaving him and his only sister Liz Madowo orphaned. His sister, Liz Madowo, a Moi University graduate, is a stylist and fashion blogger.
Education
Early Education
Larry Madowo attended Usingo and Karapul primary schools before enrolling at Saint Gabriel’s Seminary in Kisumu, where he aspired to become a Catholic priest. However, after a year, he chose to shift his attention to communication.
College Journey
Madowo enrolled at Daystar University in 2006 to pursue a communications degree. Unfortunately, he encountered financial difficulties and was forced to drop school after a year and a half. During this time, he did odd jobs, including selling tea and mandazi in the Gikomba market. Eventually, he returned to Daystar University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in June 2014.
Advanced Studies
Madowo took a major step forward in his studies in 2019 when he enrolled in Columbia University’s Master of Business and Economics Journalism program. While there, he received the Philip Greer Award for Financial Writing, which recognized his abilities and commitment to quality writing. He earned his Master’s degree on May 20, 2020.
Career
Larry Madowo’s career has been a journey both within Kenya and on the global stage. He has grown from a radio host, TV host, news, and reporting to becoming a celebrated international correspondent.
a). Working At KTN
Madowo started his career in 2007 as a trainee reporter at Kenya Television Network (KTN). This marked the beginning of of his career journey, he covered general news stories with an engaging style making a big impression.
He later propelled to become a respected news anchor at KTN.
b). Working with National Media Group
In 2012, he joined NTV which is under the Nation Media Group. Here he anchored Prime News and later hosted The Trend, a Friday night show that featured trending news, entertainment, and pop culture topics. The Trend became a popular show he hosted prominent people from politicians, artists, and others. This show gave him great popularity and marked a significant step in his career.
Image Credit: Fb
Larry changed and began working for the South African business news network CNBC Africa in May 2012. But after only eight months, he was back on NTV.
Larry later hosted a radio show on Nation FM (still under the National Media Group) on Sundays at 2 PM. He also hosted The Larry Madowo Show on Nation FM from 2014 to 2016.
Still under Nation Media Group, Larry got more roles as a weekly columnist called Front Row for the Daily Nation, Kenya’s leading newspaper. He shared his views on current affairs, often addressing controversial issues.
c). Joining the BBC
Larry Madowo joined the BBC as Africa Business Editor on April 11, 2018, where he led a team of journalists from throughout Africa.
Key Stories Covered (2019–2021)
Madowo covered the disputed 2020 United States Presidential Election, bringing African viewers insights into American politics.
COVID-19 Pandemic: He wrote extensively about the pandemic’s effects in the United States, with a focus on communities that are disadvantaged like African immigrants.
Black Lives Matter Protests: Following George Floyd’s death, he covered protests in the United States, linking social justice problems to inequality based on race in both countries.
In 2020, he relocated from Washington, D.C. to Nairobi to work on African economic concerns. He founded and anchored BBC Money Daily, a program that highlights African economies and economic triumphs.
d). Joining CNN
Madowo left the BBC in 2021 to work as an International Correspondent for CNN, located in Nairobi.
Madowo is the host of CNN’s African Voices Changemakers series, which profiles extraordinary African individuals. He has covered key events such as the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, flooding in Nigeria, and Kenya’s 2022 elections. His work also involves reporting on global concerns such as vaccination inequalities and migrant workers’ rights during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. How the continent is portrayed in the international media.
His goal at CNN is to share essential African stories with a wider audience while also focusing on the continent’s political, economic, and cultural aspects.
Larry Madowo’s Wife and Children
Larry Madowo is currently unmarried and has no children. While he has been romantically linked to fellow journalist Edith Kimani, their connection is not established. They prompted curiosity in October 2021 when they shared provocative images, but neither has confirmed a romantic relationship. They also share romantic pics from time to time. Madowo prefers to keep his personal life secret, focusing instead on his job as a notable journalist and media figure.
