CNN journalist Larry Madowo has unveiled a long-awaited documentary that examines one of the most controversial aid experiments carried out in rural Kenya. The film, titled Free Money, landed on Netflix after five years of filming and production, marking a major milestone for the award-winning broadcaster. The documentary follows the operations of U.S. nonprofit GiveDirectly, which has been sending monthly cash transfers to households in a Nyanza village under a universal basic income model. Madowo, who announced the premiere with a provocative question— Is it OK for an American NGO to run a cash experiment on poor Africans? —says the film invites viewers to examine both the promises and pitfalls of this bold social experiment.
The documentary immerses audiences in the daily lives of villagers who receive about $22 (roughly KSh 3,000) every month, exploring how unconditional cash affects decision-making, relationships, and expectations. GiveDirectly argues that poor communities deserve the dignity to choose their own path toward economic stability without restrictions attached to aid. The film captures the anticipation, tension, and curiosity surrounding the programme as beneficiaries weigh how to use the money and how it alters their social dynamics. Beyond the economics, Free Money probes deeper questions: Does external funding change cultural identity? Does it empower or create unhealthy dependence? Madowo and his team spent years building trust in the community to authentically portray these dilemmas.
Reactions to the documentary have been swift and divided. Many Kenyans praise the project for spotlighting inequalities and questioning the ethics of experimental development models imposed from abroad. Others argue that the film exposes vulnerabilities in cash-transfer programmes that are often marketed as silver-bullet solutions. Global development experts, meanwhile, say the documentary could spark renewed debate about transparency and long-term accountability in NGO-driven aid systems. As Free Money gains international attention, researchers and policymakers are expected to revisit Kenya’s role as a testing ground for universal basic income trials. With Netflix providing a global platform, the film is poised to push governments, donors, and local communities to rethink how poverty-alleviation programmes should be designed and evaluated in the future.