Celebrated Kenyan journalist and CNN international correspondent, Larry Madowo, revealed why some critics were unhappy with his milestones and achievements.
While speaking to Inside CNN, a newsletter by CNN, Madowo claimed to have been labelled a traitor several times.
"There are people who feel slighted when they see a fellow African covering something unflattering about the continent," Madowo claimed in the interview he shared on Friday, November 11.
"I’ve been called a traitor many times," he continued.
According to the former BBC correspondent, his followers and strangers return his calls, while some send him ideas on feature stories he can cover since he is a familiar face on Kenyan television.
"While some people are proud to see me on CNN, others expect me to be “patriotic” by only showing the positive side of Kenya and Africa," he revealed to Inside CNN.
However, Madowo indicated that he was not fazed by those calling him a traitor for his reporting as he tells the full unvarnished truth about the continent through his coverage.
According to the self-described “newbie” at CNN, he is not Africa’s public relations (PR) guy on the international stage.
While describing the importance of his role at CNN, Madowo said that he brings an important perspective to its coverage of Africa - as someone who was born and raised on the continent.
"I hope that my local expertise and my cultural currency help tell a more nuanced, three-dimensional view of the stories I cover," the celebrated journalist who also covered the death of Queen Elizabeth revealed.
Furthermore, the Kenyan journalist who made his name as the host of The Trend on NTV revealed that he appreciated the fact that people often criticise him.
"It’s tough to take some criticism, but I value all clearheaded, critical reviews of my work," he told Inside CNN.
Madowo also recounted briefly training to be a Catholic priest and spending his entire high school at a Catholic seminary.
The renowned media practitioner joined CNN in May 2021.
