Tanzanian political activist gushes over Larry Madowo after viral documentary on post-election chaos
By Cynthia Lodite, November 22, 2025Prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai has applauded CNN African Correspondent Larry Madowo for documenting the recent Tanzania protest, which left scores dead and injured.
In a post on her official X account on Friday, November 22, 2025, Sarungi, who has been a staunch critic of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, praised Larry’s effort in documenting the recently completed Tanzania elections, which were marred by protests.
She candidly expressed her love to the Kenyan-born journalist while gushing over relocating him to Tanzania.
“Much love and power to you, Omera @LarryMadowo. “Jamani ni hivi, Wenje tutampeleka Kenya, na Larry tunamtangaza wa kwetu kutoka Rorya,” Sarungi said.
Ms Sarungi praised Larry’s efforts while explaining that indeed he deserves all the awards for doing justice to the untold stories of Tanzania after the election protest, which saw communications shut down in the country.
“On a serious note – Larry has done a great service for the nation of #Tanzania and deserves all awards and accolades. Solidarity ndo maana ya #JumuiyaNiYetu,” she wrote.
Despite the imposed nationwide internet restrictions on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during the general election, which impacted mobile data services and access to social media platforms across major networks, Madowo was able to collect some information that led to the now viral CNN documentary on Tanzania’s protest.
The investigation, which analysed geolocated videos, audio evidence, and witness accounts, documented the scale of unrest after President Samia was declared the winner with 98 per cent of the votes on October 29.
Worth noting, some of her main rivals were barred from running, a decision that triggered demonstrations in multiple areas of the country.
CNN also showed videos of crowded mortuaries, which aligned with witness accounts describing casualties during the unrest.
According to CNN, satellite images and videos also show recently disturbed soil at Kondo cemetery, north of Dar es Salaam, where human rights groups and witnesses say some bodies of protesters may have been buried.
Government officials initially denied that any protesters had been killed.
Last week, President Suluhu acknowledged some casualties but did not provide figures and launched a commission to investigate the unrest, while also suggesting that some protesters may have been paid.