Kenyan journalist and CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo has been thrown into deep mourning.

The journalist on Friday afternoon took to his official social media accounts to announce the passing on of his grandmother Francesca Madowo.

While mourning her in a very touching message, Larry Madowo described his grandmother as the family matriarch, family heartbeat and his comedy partner.

He went ahead to note that her death has left him numbing, and ripped his heart from the chest.

The journalist noted that light had gone out of the family following the death of the matriarch.

“My grandmother, the family matriarch, our heartbeat, my comedy partner, the dearly loved Francesca Madowo has joined the ancestors. I am numb. My heart has been ripped from my chest. Light has gone out of my life. Nind gi kwe, min Omollo,” tweeted Larry Madowo.

Before joining CNN, Larry Madowo worked as a North America correspondent for the BBC based in Washington, DC.

He was also named a young global leader by the World Economic Forum and twice listed among 100 most influential Africans by NewAfrican Magazine.