Amid the polarised reactions to the CNN report on Tanzania’s post election violence, Cassypool emerged as a vocal critic of Madowo’s coverage. In a video shared on social media, Cassypool accused Madowo of being “used” or “sent” by foreigners “white people/foreign interests”, to produce a narrative damaging to Tanzania.
“Yule ni kibaraka ya wazungu. Wazungu wakati wanataka kuchukua na kupora nchi na kuadilisha nchi wanatumia vibaraka.” he said.
Cassypool’s claim frames Madowo’s journalism not as independent reporting, but as part of a foreign-driven agenda, painting him as an “agent” of external forces. The tone and message remain that Madowo’s reporting serves foreign interests, rather than objective journalism.
“Yeye atuambie lini amefanya documentary ambayo ni mzuri ambayo imeonyesha dunia uzuri wake.” The political activist added, “kuonyesha hapa Kenya, kuna pahali penye mbuga za wanyama, wazungu wakuje waangalie. Kuonyesha Uganda ni kuzuri? Mbona anakuja wakati kuna machafuko.
He claims that the media station that Larry Madowo works in airs what he describes as “fake news”, adding that even the United States’ President, Donald Trump believes so too.
In November 2025, a fresh wave of accusations erupted after a major investigative report aired by CNN spearheaded by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo alleging post-election violence in Tanzania.
The report documented police shootings of unarmed civilians, and claimed existence of mass graves where victims of the violence were buried.
Following the publication of this CNN exposé, the Tanzanian government, via its spokesperson Gerson Msigwa, sharply criticised international media coverage.
The government accused outlets including CNN of presenting biased and unverified narratives, relying on social media content, images and videos without exercising journalistic verification or seeking the government’s side of the story.
As the report spread widely across East Africa, a segment of the public rallied behind Madowo. Thousands of Tanzanians reportedly changed their profile pictures to his image on social media in solidarity with his work a show of support for his efforts to highlight alleged abuses.
