Larry Madowo Responds to Calls to Run for President of Kenya

CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo has dismissed calls for him to consider running for the presidential seat come 2027. 

The conversation began on Tuesday, July 1, when an X user, Eric Mutahi, posed a rhetorical question to his followers.

"Has anyone thought about Larry Madowo being President of Kenya? He can be amazing," he wrote. 

Madowo responded hours later with a brief but definitive statement, "Immediately no!”

Later, Madowo added a sharper comment that seemed to call out how quickly public support in Kenyan politics can change.

"Mnichague halafu kidogo kidogo kidogo Madowo Must Go? (You elect me and then before long it’s ‘Madowo Must Go’?" he posed.

As of now, only former Chief Justice David Maraga has officially declared that he will run for president in the 2027 general election.

In an interview on Wednesday, June 18, Maraga confirmed his decision to run for the country’s top office.

“After discussion with friends and after serious reflection, I thought it was time we thought about the leadership of this country. We cannot let some people take our country to doomsday literally. 

“As a result of that reflection, I have made up my mind that I will run for the presidency of this country in 2027. I am the Gen Z Presidential candidate. I have children, and many people have children," he said.

Others expected to run for the top seat include former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and PLP leader Martha Karua.

In an interview on Tuesday, Matiang'i stated that Kenya needs a leader who can earn the trust of Kenyans and not an all-knowing ruler.

"Kenya does not need an all-knowing savior or ruler. It needs a hardworking, honest, consensus builder to mobilize the country and create a level of trust in the people of Kenya to invest their energy in moving the country to the next level. I would like to make that contribution," he stated.