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Three decades of 'It's a Madd Madd World' : Celebrating satirist and cartoonist Maddo’s unbroken mirror to the nation
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga noted that “whereas politicians draft laws, cartoonists draft the conscience. From managing the high-stakes shadows of the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings in The Hague to illustrating the chaotic birth of our devolved governance systems between 2012 and 2016, 'It’s a Madd Madd World' has ensured that power is constantly held accountable through humour.”
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A more fitting legacy would be to immortalize Raila Odinga's thoughts and ideas in books, libraries, documentaries and films.
The youthful generation is yearning for information, as times have shown that everyone needs to be updated to avoid making the mistakes that our forefathers made when they were colonised and made to think that they couldn’t think on their own or make sane decisions.
Social media has been transformative. It’s allowing Africans to reclaim stories in real-time—whether it’s TikTokers teaching indigenous languages or Instagram creators reviving ancient textile traditions. Technology is helping bypass traditional gatekeepers, making it easier to tell our stories from our perspective.
The challenging aspect of children’s books, says Robert Dersley, is timing. One can throw so much love into the illustrations it can never end.
Flipping through the pages of After 4.30, you’ll find yourself seated beside Emili, Lili, and Beti, women who feel eerily familiar. Women you might recognise. As you read, faces come to mind; some alive, some lost.
Representation in children’s literature is more than just numbers. It is about creating a world where every child can see themselves, in the characters they encounter and the authors who create them.
