Amidst the recent anti-Finance Bill protests, Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo took a moment to give his CNN colleague Barbara Arvanitidis a humorous yet pointed warning about Luo men.
Madowo, known for his humour and candour, shared his insights with Arvanitidis while they were covering protests in Nairobi.
In a lighthearted post on X on Saturday, June 29, 2024, Madowo recounted an amusing incident where a Luo man, undeterred by the fact that Arvanitidis was wearing a gas mask and helmet, told her she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and asked for her number.
“Even though she was wearing a gas mask and helmet, a Luo man told @ArvanitidisCNN she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen and asked for her number,” Madowo shared.
Drawing from his own Luo heritage, Madowo humorously advised Arvanitidis to be cautious of the charms and cultural quirks of Luo men, who are stereotypically known for being both extremely romantic and seasoned skirt chasers.
“I taught her about character development. My brothers are undefeated 😂,” Madowo added, underscoring the distinct cultural identities and social dynamics within Kenya.
The interaction, set against the backdrop of ongoing protests, provided a moment of levity and camaraderie between the two journalists.
In a separate post, Madowo discussed his experiences covering the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, which began on June 18, 2024.
Reflecting on the intense and often dangerous conditions, he praised his colleague Fabs @mufabs for their resilience.
“We’ve battled so much with Fabs @mufabs that our colleagues think we’ve become immune to teargas. Battling bullets, fires, and stones on live TV and this man didn’t skip a beat 👏🏾,” Madowo wrote.
Controversy
The protests have not been without controversy for Larry Madowo.
During the demonstrations on Thursday, June 27, 2024, a group of local journalists accused him of selling them out to the police, resulting in their harassment and beatings.
The journalists claimed that when approached by police officers, Madowo denied any association with them, leading to their rough treatment.
“Guys, Larry ametuuza kwa makarau,” one journalist shouted, accusing Madowo of betrayal.
Another, visibly upset, said, “Larry, whatever you did isn’t good. I have been beaten because of you.”
Madowo defended his actions, explaining that he had warned the journalists to move back when the police approached, advice they chose to ignore.
“Nimewaambia mara ngapi musonge nyuma?” Madowo retorted, implying that he had repeatedly asked them to retreat for their safety.
Despite his explanation, the local journalists remained angry. However, Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai defended Madowo, stating that he had done nothing wrong to warrant the online attacks he faced.
“I don’t see any wrong Larry Madowo committed in all the shared videos. Guys, do you know how hard it is to handle insecurity brought about by fame?” Alai commented on his official X account on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Before you go…how about joining our vibrant Telegram and WhatsApp channels for hotter stories?
Telegram: Telegram Channel
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Channel
The alchemist of literary works – a master wordsmith with a proven record of transforming the raw materials of language into a rich tapestry of emotion, thought, and imagination.