Larry Madowo to donate Sh129,000 award prize to young Kenyan journalist

CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo named the Human Rights Defender of the Year by the Defenders Coalition / HANDOUT 

Journalist Larry Madowo has been named Human Rights Defender of the Year, an award that comes with a cash prize of $1,000 (about Sh129,000).

Announcing the recognition, Madowo said he would donate the entire amount to support a young journalist in Kenya who highlights community issues.

The journalist added that the award money would go towards supporting emerging journalists committed to impactful community reporting.

“I was honored to accept my Human Rights Defender of the Year award today. Ahsante. It comes with a $1,000 cash prize (Ksh129,000). I will donate it to a young journalist anywhere in Kenya who highlights issues in the community,” Madowo said.

He also invited members of the public to nominate themselves or other deserving journalists for consideration.

Madowo, who has built an international profile through his journalism career, is widely known for covering African affairs, governance, human rights and social justice issues.

Known for his fearless reporting and sharp storytelling across various global media platforms, he is recognised as one of Africa’s most influential journalists.

Currently with CNN, he has previously worked with BBC, CNBC Africa, NTV Kenya and KTN, covering impactful stories on cross-cutting human rights issues like media freedom, social justice and good governance.

His work has recently included, publicly criticising the Tanzanian government’s refusal to grant accreditation for independent reporting, bringing out the growing concern of press freedom and transparency.

Additionally, as he covered the anti-government protests in Kenya, Madowo, reported being targeted by hired goons who were allegedly paid to attack him and destroy his equipment, highlighting the challenges journalists face in the course of their work.

The Defenders Coalition, in bestowing this award, says it acknowledged the diversity, depth, and intersectionality of his human rights work.

The jury emphasised that the fight for human rights extends beyond the courtroom or the advocacy office it resides in the newsroom and on the street, where the act of bearing witness is itself a defensive measure against authoritarianism.

Madowo's work frequently intersected with the very issues he documented: the shrinking space for dissent and the weaponisation of the digital environment.

In an era where reporters are increasingly targeted not just physically, but through online smear campaigns and digital surveillance, his presence at the heart of the protests provided a layer of visibility that offered a modicum of protection to the movement.

The outspoken journalist has often been taunted by pro-government bloggers and even political leaders over his coverage of protests in Kenya and the region.