Larry Madowo Marks Birthday with Laughter, Love, and Heroic Legacy

Celebrated CNN journalist Larry Madowo turned a year older this week and marked the occasion with his signature charm and wit. Taking to Instagram, Madowo shared a cheerful photo of himself, captioning it with a lighthearted prompt:

“Chat, it’s my birthday! Please teach me an unusual life hack you swear by.”

The post quickly lit up with laughter and good wishes as Kenyans flooded the comments, sharing quirky advice and warm birthday messages.

Among the first to join in was his longtime friend and fellow journalist Edith Kimani, who posted a heartwarming—and humorous—video montage. The clip featured two moments: one from 2018 and another from 2025, both taken at the same museum in France. The playful video highlighted Larry’s evolving look—from a fuller hairline to his now signature bald-and-bearded style—while Edith’s radiant smile remained unchanged.

She paired the throwback with a touching tribute:

“Happy birthday, Larry Madowo. Here’s to never asking for permission to be yourself. May everything you desire always find you. Cheers.”

A Birthday Marked by More Than Cake

Beyond the celebration, many Kenyans took the opportunity to reflect on Larry’s impact—not just as a journalist, but as a voice of conscience in turbulent times.

From his early career at Nation Media Group to his current global role with CNN, Madowo has built a reputation grounded in integrity, courage, and empathy.

That reputation was reaffirmed just last month during the June 25 memorial protests in Nairobi. When demonstrators were trapped and teargassed by police in the CBD, Madowo stepped in to help.

Footage from the scene showed frightened protesters pleading with the journalist to stay as they found themselves cornered in a narrow alley. Teargassed and allegedly beaten, the group feared for their safety.

“What is going on? Why are you here?” Larry asked one protester who was visibly in distress.

“We were peaceful. Just trying to express ourselves. But we were cornered and teargassed,” the young man replied.

Without hesitation, Madowo told the group,

“Let’s go,” leading them to safety.

A Hero in the Field—and Online

For many, that moment crystallized why Larry Madowo is not just admired but deeply trusted. Social media was flooded with praise for his brave intervention, with many calling him a true hero of the people.

As Kenyans celebrated his birthday, it was clear that Larry’s influence stretches far beyond journalism. He’s a storyteller, an advocate, and—when needed—a lifeline.

Happy Birthday, Larry Madowo—may your voice remain as bold as ever, and may the lives you’ve touched continue to rise with you.