CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has shared screenshots of vulgar private messages allegedly sent by Tanzanian accounts, following his scathing coverage of the country’s elections.
Madowo posted the screenshots on X and Instagram, captioning them, “Majirani wametumwa kunisalimia.”
The messages, laced with insults, threats and explicit language, were purportedly sent by users believed to be Tanzanian nationals angered by his reporting on the country’s unfolding crisis.
Most of the content was too crude for broadcast.
The backlash followed Madowo’s in-depth coverage of Tanzania’s escalating political unrest, protests marked by allegations of electoral manipulation, heavy-handed policing and a narrowing civic space during the presidential elections.
What began as peaceful demonstrations spiralled into violent clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in numerous deaths as the country took to the polls in a controversial election.
Human rights organisations have reported arrests, disappearances and the use of excessive force.
Social media has also become a volatile battleground, with Tanzanians expressing anger, fear, and frustration, while government critics endure coordinated online attacks.
Madowo’s reporting, aired on international platforms, appears to have provoked loyalists of the Tanzanian government, triggering a torrent of personal insults that he revealed on his social media pages.
Online, Kenyans responded swiftly and humorously, with many mocking the explicit nature of the insults.
Others, however, defended Madowo with sharp criticism of Tanzanian authorities.
One post read, “Serikali ya Tanzania imewatesa wananchi wake kwa ukatili wa kutisha, na sasa inakutukana kwa kufichua uhalifu wao. Aibu kabisa! Wananchi wanastahili haki na uhuru, si jeuri na matusi.”