Political Cartoonist
Resident
If his parents had had their way, Kenyan political cartoonist Paul Kelemba would have become an accountant. But he always knew his passions lay elsewhere.
Working under the pen name “Maddo,” Kelemba has written and illustrated a column in Kenya’s daily newspaper, The Standard, for more than 20 years. While in residency at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, he was glad to have the opportunity to talk about “the entire industry and development of media cartoons in East Africa.”
“Many people overlook the impact of cartoons on democratization. To some, a cartoon subject is a good laugh and that’s the end of it,” he explains. “But cartoons have played a crucial role in the changing face of democracy, especially in Africa, where media freedoms are just emerging.”
A satirical look at local and world politics along with social commentary, Kelemba’s work has not been without controversy. One politician sued The Standard over a cartoon he had drawn, claiming it had libeled her, and others have sent aides to intimidate him. But the self-taught artist presses on. He says that “it has been quite an uphill task over the last two decades for cartoonists to be accepted as serious commentators and analysts of political and social issues. So when politicians quote cartoonists today, even in the negative, that’s fine enough—as long as they acknowledge our work. National populations now really look forward to political cartoons.”
At Bellagio, Kelemba compiled his favorite pieces into a book called It’s a Madd, Madd World. “My four weeks there enabled me to discuss my work with other professionals and hear their opinions,” he notes. “Beyond that, collections of my work at the Center will help me share my perspectives and experiences with a broader audience.”
