CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo has shed light on his absence from covering the July 7 Saba Saba protests in Kenya, despite the event's global hype.
Madowo attributed his absence to a prior commitment in Nigeria, which coincided with the protests.
However, he revealed a disturbing claim that a Kenyan politician had allegedly hired goons to rough him up while covering the protests.
According to Madowo, the goons were offered an additional Sh100,000 if they attacked him, beat him up, and smashed his equipment.
In a video message posted on his social media handles, he claims the goons confessed to this on camera, citing partial payment for their services in past protests.
"A Kenyan leader has offered paid goons an extra Sh100,000 if they attack me while covering the protests; beat me up (and) smash our equipment - and they confessed to that on camera because they were not fully paid for the past protests."
The journalist expressed concern over pro-government social media accounts calling for his arrest, accusing him of inciting violence despite merely reporting on police brutality and showcasing the truth.
He added that a lawmaker had also demanded his arrest, but he vowed that neither he nor his team would be intimidated.
"We will not be intimidated, journalism is not a crime," he said.
The Saba Saba protests, led by Gen Z, were marked by chaos and destruction of property, echoing the June 25 demonstrations that condemned police brutality following the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang' in police custody.
Ojwang's autopsy revealed he was strangled to death, contradicting the initial police report that he succumbed to injuries after hitting his head on a wall in his cell.
The June 25 protests and the Saba Saba demonstrations have been marred by allegations of police brutality and goon infiltration.
According to police reports, at least 11 civilians died, 52 police officers were injured, and over 550 arrests were made during the Saba Saba protests.
Madowo has been vocal about government shortcomings and has been reporting from the frontline during the protests, condemning police brutality while highlighting alleged government-backed goon activities.
His criticism of the government has put him in the crosshairs of officials, who have targeted him for his reporting.
In a statement justifying his absence from the Saba Saba protests, Madowo explained, "That's not the reason I'm not there today, I'm in Nigeria because we had planned this weeks ago. I could not cancel it, and the job is international correspondent, not Kenyan correspondent."
Madowo did not reveal the nature of his assignment in Nigeria but a look at his timeline on Facebook shows that he arrived in Enugu State on July 5.
"Good morning from Enugu, Nigeria - Africa’s greatest city?"
