Gado, cartoonist and East African governments' nightmare

Godfrey Mwampembwa, alias Gado, is a Tanzanian cartoonist who has worked for over twenty years in Kenya. He shamelessly portrays politicians in East Africa and, more generally, Africa itself. For him, it is absolutely impossible to stop drawing. However, intimidations and threats have become daily events in recent years. Indeed, the freedom of expression in Kenya has decreased since Uhuru Kenyatta rose to power in 2013. Since 1992, Gado has worked for the Daily Nation newspaper, the principal newspaper of East Africa. After several cartoons depicting Kenyatta and his Vice-President Ruto’s shenanigans, in particular, following charges against them with the International Criminal Court, the newspaper’s management ceded to governmental pressure in February 2016 : Gado was dismissed. His commitment and determination to draw at all costs helped Gado win the City of Geneva – Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace Award.