Outlawing Opinion
Kenyan cartoonists keep a watchful eye
by Patrick Gathara
Nairobi, Kenya

Kenyan cartoonists recently held a workshop to discuss the effect of recent amendments to the country's laws (commonly referred to as the Media Bill), and the courts' aggressive enforcement of libel laws, on their work. Entitled "Outlawing Opinion? The Effect of the Media Bill and Libel Laws on the Work of Kenyan Cartoonists" the workshop was held at the Stanley hotel in Nairobi on 5th July 2002 and was attended by over 50 participants most of whom were either professional or aspiring cartoonists. Participants included students and lecturers from the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts (BIFA) and Mank & Tank College. Comic book publisher Lila Luce of Sasa Sema publications also attended as did a number of journalists from several media houses.

Speakers at the workshop included Kibe Mungai, a lawyer with the People Against Torture advocacy group, Ezekiel Mutua, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists, John Agunda (representing Wangethi Mwangi, Editorial Director, Nation Newspapers, East Africa's largest Media House), Paul "Madd" Kelemba, one of Kenya's pioneer cartoonists, and East African Association of Cartoonists (KATUNI) Chairman, Frank Odoi.

The event attracted plenty of media attention, being the first grouping of journalists to discuss the controversial legislation since it was passed by Parliament on May 5, 2002. Among the provisions of the bill is one raising the bond for "publishing" from Kshs.10,000 (US$ 125) to Kshs.1,000,000 (US$ 12,500). As Mr. Mungai explained, the term "publication" in the Kenyan legal context connotes any form by means of which ideas may be recorded and transmitted. This specific amendment thus affects comics and other cartoon bearing publications, including children's books. Also affected are websites and TV shows. The bill is widely seen as an attempt to muzzle the press with less than 6 months to the general election.

In the recent past, there have also been several large cash awards by the High Court in libel cases involving pro-government politicians. In one case, Nicholas Biwott, a Cabinet Minister was awarded Kshs. 60 million (US$ 750,000). Such awards, the workshop heard, have the effect of stifling free comment through the threat of financial ruin.

The event was organized by Patrick Gathara on behalf of KATUNI and was funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). Gathara, who runs the Kenyan cartoonists' website www.kenyatoons.com, is currently trying to organise a cartoon exhibition to commemorate the August 7, 1998 "Embassy Bombings" and last year's September 11 attrocities.

Meanwhile, Kenyan cartoonist, and Witty World editor Godfrey "GADO" Mwampembwa will say his wedding vows on Saturday, 27 July, 2002 at Dar-es-Salaam in his home country of Tanzania.