How covering Gen Z protests, East Africa crackdowns earned Madowo rights award

He aggressively covered the Gen Z uprising in 2024 and 2025 protests in Kenya. He later covered Tanzania’s post-election crackdown on dissent from a far but very aggressively. He would later cover Uganda’s contested elections robustly.

For this body of work, which placed him at the centre of some of East Africa’s most consequential political and human rights moments, Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo was named the Human Rights Defenders of the Year, during the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Awards, an initiative launched in 2016 by the Defenders Coalition and the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders to honour individuals championing the protection of rights and freedoms.

“Congratulations to Larry Madowo for winning the human rights defenders award, an award recognising Individuals or movements who, within the past year, have demonstrated outstanding courage in addressing and challenging current human rights issues,” Defenders Coalition posted on X.

“Congratulations to Larry Madowo for being awarded Human Rights Defender of the Year in Kenya for his courageous reporting in Kenya and beyond,” Australian High Commission in Kenya posted on X.

Madowo, an international correspondent with CNN, was cited for his “fearless reporting and sharp storytelling across various global media platforms,” which has consistently spotlighted human rights concerns. The award places him among individuals acknowledged for demonstrating “outstanding courage in addressing and challenging current human rights issues” within the past year.

A graduate of Columbia University with a Master’s in Business and Economics Journalism, Madowo has previously worked with BBC, CNBC Africa and Nation Media Group’s NTV Kenya. His reporting has covered cross-cutting human rights issues including media freedom, governance and social justice across the globe.

“Thank you,” Mr Madowo posted on X while acknowledging the award. “I don’t consider myself a human rights defender, I’m just a journalist speaking truth to power.”

For the same category, he was nominated together with Julius Kamau, Wangu Kanja, and Longton Jamil.

The recognition places Madowo alongside activists working on the frontlines of justice, accountability and civic freedoms in Kenya.

Theatrics, drama, and drawing attention, are the tools Kamau has chosen to highlight pressing human rights issues.

“To some, his methods have raised questions about his state of mind. To those who understand the work, he is a true champion for social justice,” the defenders coalition said, adding he embodies courage, resilience, and a deep desire for transformation.

Jamil who serves as chairperson of the Kajiado Human Rights Defenders Network and the Kitengela Muslim Association, the coalition said, has built “safe spaces for defenders to articulate pressing community issues.” Following heightened anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests, Jamil together with his brother and Bob Njagi were abducted and held incommunicado for a month.

Miss Kanja, the Defenders Coalition said, was armed with the vision and deep desire to end all forms of gender and sexual violence and femicide. She founded Wangi Kanja Foundation “to address these pressing issues” and has been able to offer support to women and girls who were victims/survivors of gender-based violence in the country.

This year’s nominations “highlight the diversity, depth and intersectionality of human rights issues in Kenya and beyond, showcasing the tireless work of individuals, social movements and organisations in the face of adversity,” the jury said.

“The themes of the nominations provide a stark reminder of the critical role HRDs play in safeguarding our freedoms and the shared struggles that unite us in the pursuit of justice.”

This year’s Human Rights Defenders Awards are not just a celebration, the coalition said, “they are a rallying cry for action and solidarity”.

“In a challenging period marked by violence, increased resourced anti -gender, choice, rights movements, smear campaigns, and legal restrictions, HRDs have remained steadfast. Their work is a reminder of the Constitution’s promise to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms,” Defenders Coalition said.