- Title: KENYA: Locally-produced TV satirical puppet show set to raise eyebrows in Kenya
- Date: 19th May 2009
- Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (MAY 18, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF XYZ CREATOR AND PRODUCER, GADO, AT HIS DESK GADO CARTOON ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) XYZ CREATOR AND PRODUCER, GADO SAYING: "We wanted to do a political satire show and at times we are mistaken as a comedy show, but it is not a comedy show, we want to do a political satire show. We thought we could have an interesting
- Embargoed: 3rd June 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA8VPC5TEWBCXJNV3V8XUI5GEJJ
- Story Text: A political satire puppet show, the first of its kind in Kenya, hopes to push boundaries on political and social issues.
A local TV show featuring life-size puppets in the likeness of various top newsmakers - called XYZ - premiered on Kenyan television on Sunday (May 17).
The show centres on current affairs and is heavily satirical. Its producers say it is a unique and quirky way to discuss Kenyan and international political and social issues.
In the pilot show, Kenya's former justice and constitutional affairs minister, Martha Karua, who resigned in April this year, takes on her real- life political rival, current Agriculture Minister, William Ruto.
Kenya's coalition government was formed last year to solve post-election violence that displaced hundreds of thousands of people and hit trade and economic growth across the region.
But to the growing dismay of Kenyans, many of its senior members have continued to squabble ever since.
XYZ creator and producer, a local cartoonist known as Gado, says the idea for the show came up in 2002, when he visited French TV station Canal+, which runs "Les Guignols", a well known satirical puppet show in France.
"We wanted to do a political satire show and at times we are mistaken as a comedy show, but it is not a comedy show, we want to do a political satire show. We thought we could have an interesting show using puppets, we can satirize politicians and lampoon them but at the same time, interrogate them and Kenyans as a society to look at ourselves and whether we achieve that, remains to be seen," said Gado.
Getting the show on air has proved a tough challenge. Materials like the puppets' eyes and latex used to make the puppet faces and hands have to be imported from Europe.
Gado says they expect the show to reach a wider audience with time and an endorsement from South African cartoonist Zappiro, who has worked on a similar show, has producers excited.
"At the moment we are keeping it Kenyan but there are many elements, global and continental elements we would want to include and they are issues like, for example Zuma in South Africa, its very much a hot topic even here, President Obama. So we have for example, President Obama and that's not necessarily Kenyan. We have, we are going to make Zuma's puppet and, the aim is also to expand it, but at the moment we want to keep it, you know, Kenyan," said Gado.
Some who watched the first episode of XYZ hope it will push leaders to perform.
"I would really like that show to continue and what I would want to air on it, what I would ask the people who produce it is to really follow up what politicians say, their promises to Kenyans -- serious issues that affect the people. They should ignore the usual politics," said Mike Oduor.
Other viewers are less comfortable with what the show depicts.
"I think its a bit too silly the way they depict the politicians, because honestly if you have something to say, just say it. Don't go around making puppets that make a fool of yourself and the people they depict. That is what I think about the show," said Tess Theuri.
The show, which runs weekly, has 13 episodes in the first season. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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