CNN’s Larry Madowo wins Human Rights Defenders of the Year Award

Events-Festivals, Investigation

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo has been honoured with the Human Rights Defenders of the Year Award by the Defenders Coalition, Kenya’s national organisation dedicated to the safety and protection of human rights defenders.

The award, presented today by the Working Group of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) and the HRD Awards Jury, recognises Madowo’s journalistic excellence and courage in advancing democracy, the rule of law, and justice for victims of state repression in Africa and beyond.

The ceremony, marking the 10th edition of the HRD Awards, was hosted by the European Union in Kenya, which currently co‑chairs the HRD Working Group.

Madowo, a Kenyan journalist with a career spanning the BBC and CNN, has built a reputation for fearless reporting on sensitive issues across Africa.

His most notable works include investigations into police killings and mass graves in Tanzania, coverage of Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine, and reports on crises such as illegal gold mining in Ghana (galamsey), the Lolldaiga forest fire in Kenya involving British troops, and the COVID‑19 pandemic from inside U.S. hospitals.

The Defenders Coalition, founded in 2007, launched the annual HRD Awards in 2016 to protect and celebrate frontline defenders. Jury members included Andrew Maina, Rachael Mwikali, Dr Willy Mutunga, Njeri Kabeberi, Ikal Ang’elei, Kamanda Mucheke, Grace Lolim Hsc, and Geoffrey Mwampembwa.