CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo has found himself at the centre of an online storm after attending Charlene Ruto’s traditional Koito ceremony and sharing moments with President William Ruto and his family.
Madowo was among the high-profile guests who travelled to Kilgoris, Narok County, on Saturday, August 8, for the ceremony that brought together the families of Charlene Ruto and her fiancé, Tanzanian technology entrepreneur Isaya Yunge.
The journalist’s appearance at the event caught many Kenyans by surprise, particularly because of his prominent coverage of Kenya’s political affairs and his previous reporting on issues surrounding the Ruto administration.
Photos and videos from the ceremony showed Madowo interacting with President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.
He was also photographed alongside Charlene and Isaya, dressed in African traditional attire.
The images quickly circulated online, triggering a heated debate over whether Madowo should have attended an event associated with the President’s family.
Larry Madowo’s appearance sparks backlash
Madowo’s attendance became a talking point on social media, with some critics accusing him of abandoning the political stance they believed he had represented through his journalism.
Some users questioned how he could attend a private family celebration involving President Ruto after spending considerable time reporting on contentious political issues involving the administration.
One critic, Thirsty Kiptowet, wrote:
“I will never trust Larry Madowo again in my life! I feel used and betrayed.”
Another user, Gitz, accused the journalist of fraternising with people they considered responsible for the country’s problems, saying:
“Larry Madowo is laughing with our oppressors. It’s your own people!”
Nahashon Kimemia was similarly critical, asking:
“Why did Larry Madowo attend that Charlene Ruto event? Worse still, he was begging for attention from Ruto and Rachel?”
Another critic, Kirwa, simply declared:
“Larry Madowo has really disappointed us.”
The criticism reflected a broader argument among some Kenyans that journalists who have been critical of political leaders should be careful about appearing socially close to those same leaders.
‘Cancel Larry’ trends online
As the criticism intensified, calls to “cancel” Madowo began circulating on social media.
Rather than issuing a lengthy defence, the journalist appeared to embrace the controversy, posting the words “Cancel Larry Madowo” in response to his critics.
His response appeared to further fuel the conversation, with some users interpreting it as defiance while others saw it as Madowo refusing to allow political disagreements to dictate his personal relationships.
The controversy also raised questions about the increasingly blurred line between public figures’ personal relationships and their professional or political identities.
Madowo doubles down with more photos
Instead of retreating from the controversy, Madowo appeared to double down.
On August 10, he shared additional photographs from the Kilgoris celebrations, including images of himself with Charlene and Isaya.
In the photographs, Madowo was dressed in coordinated African traditional attire alongside the couple. He accompanied the post with the caption, “Tumia picha nzuri ukitoa maoni,” loosely translated as “Use a good photo when giving opinions.”
The post was widely interpreted as another response to those who had criticised his decision to attend the ceremony.
The latest photographs generated a mixture of reactions, with some followers continuing to attack the journalist while others joked about his appearance and defended his decision to attend.
Among the comments reported by a cross section of the Kenyan media were remarks such as, “Larry came to report to the world,” while another user joked that he was being “cancelled” simply for attending a wedding.
Why his attendance became so controversial
The controversy surrounding Madowo goes beyond a guest attending a family ceremony.
Madowo has built a substantial public profile through his work as a journalist, including coverage of Kenya’s political developments.
His presence at the Ruto family celebration therefore attracted greater scrutiny than that of an ordinary guest.
Some critics argued that his appearance alongside President Ruto undermined the image they associated with him as a journalist willing to scrutinise those in power.
According to reports, however, Madowo’s presence may have had a personal explanation.
Reports indicated that he has a longstanding friendship with Isaya Yunge, which could explain why he was invited to the family occasion.
That distinction became central to the debate, with his supporters arguing that attending a friend’s or acquaintance’s family ceremony does not automatically amount to endorsing a politician’s policies.
One defender, Alicia Kerry, argued that people should be allowed to maintain personal relationships despite political differences, while another user questioned why someone should be prevented from attending a close friend’s ceremony because of politics.
A high-profile traditional ceremony
Charlene’s Koito was one of the most closely watched social events in Kenya over the weekend, attracting politicians, business personalities, celebrities and other prominent guests.
The ceremony was held at Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, and formally brought together the families of Charlene and Isaya ahead of their marriage.
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto were among the key figures present as their daughter celebrated the new chapter in her life.
Ruto later expressed his happiness over the union, saying that he and Rachel were celebrating with “grateful hearts” as Charlene began a new chapter with Isaya.
The event featured traditional cultural performances, colourful attire and celebrations as the two families came together.
The debate exposes Kenya’s growing ‘cancel culture’
The Madowo controversy has also reignited debate over Kenya’s increasingly aggressive social-media “cancel culture”.
For some Kenyans, public figures are expected to maintain consistency between their professional positions and personal associations.
Others believe political disagreements should not prevent people from maintaining friendships or attending private celebrations.
The disagreement has been particularly pronounced around prominent journalists and entertainers whose interactions with government officials can quickly become political talking points.
Madowo’s case demonstrates how quickly a personal appearance can become a wider discussion about journalism, politics, loyalty and public expectations.
For now, the CNN correspondent appears unfazed by the criticism.
Rather than deleting the photographs or distancing himself from the occasion, he has continued sharing moments from the celebration.
Whether the backlash will have any lasting effect remains unclear, but the controversy has certainly placed Madowo among the latest Kenyan public figures to become the subject of a fierce online debate.
Ultimately, the dispute has raised a bigger question: Should political disagreements determine who people can maintain friendships with or celebrate family milestones alongside?
While critics insist Madowo’s appearance was disappointing, his defenders maintain that attending Charlene Ruto’s Koito does not necessarily indicate political allegiance to her father.
For now, Madowo’s decision to attend, pose with the Ruto family and subsequently respond to his critics has ensured that his appearance at the Kilgoris ceremony remains one of the most discussed moments from Charlene’s highly publicised traditional engagement.
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