Fans mob CNN journalist Larry Madowo as reports from the home of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Karen home on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. /SCREENGRABCNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo was on Wednesday forced to cut short his live link from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s home in Karen after awe-struck fans overwhelmed him with public display of affection.
Raila died early Wednesday morning from cardiac arrest while taking a walk within the precincts of an Ayurvedic eye hospital in India, where he was receiving treatment.
News of his death sent shockwaves across the country, with supporters pouring into the streets to mourn the man long described as the enigma of Kenyan opposition politics.
By midday, Raila’s city home in Karen and the rural one in Bondo had become the epicentre of national grief as Kenyans from all walks of life trooped into the homesteads to pay their respects.
Dozens of local and international journalists flocked to the homes, their broadcast vans and camera crews working tirelessly to capture every moment of the unfolding emotions.
Among them was Madowo, who was at Karen with his CNN crew to document the raw grief of Raila’s supporters.
But moments after going live, the situation took an unexpected twist. Locals, seemingly overcome by celebrity awe, mobbed the celebrated journalist in a show of affection.
His attempts to continue with the live report proved futile as the crowd surged around him with every step he took to move away from them, some waving, others shouting his name and posing in front of the camera.
"Larry, Larry," they shouted, with some covering the camera lens with their faces, completely obscuring the cameraman from capturing the journalist.
The commotion drowned out his voice as he tried to describe the scene. “These people have taken every inch of the home celebrating…,” Madowo is heard saying before his voice is completely lost in the noise.
Moments later, he posted a short clip of the chaotic scene on Instagram, captioning it: “We tried to broadcast live at the home of Raila Odinga after his death was announced. We had to abandon it.”
The video attracted varied reactions, with some saying the mourners just wanted to be seen on TV.
"Dream ni kuoneka CNN," one said. Others commended Madowo for holding his nerve through the chaos.
"How is he not laughing" I'd burst into laughter," one said.
"They were so modest. They are just happy to see Larry and also sad that Baba is gone. It's called mixed feelings," added yet another.
Madowo, one of Kenya’s most recognisable media personalities, has achieved near rock-star status both at home and abroad.
His fearless reporting, often from the frontlines of protests and politically charged events, has earned him admiration for his commitment to telling African stories with depth and empathy.
He is best known for his coverage of social justice movements and governance issues, particularly during Kenya’s Gen Z-led anti-government protests last year, where he reported live from chaotic scenes that many other journalists avoided.
In Karen, that admiration turned personal and overwhelming as emotionally charged mourners momentarily forgot the grief that had brought them together, turning their affection toward one of their own who had made it onto the world stage.
