The Project
In 2007, in the context of a disputed presidential election in Kenya, a political battle between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki and his challenger, Raila Odinga, developed into a war between the Kikuyu and Luo tribes. It appeared that the poison of ethnicity, being spread by politicians, would prevail. Mediation by Kofi Annan led to a power-sharing arrangement.

In January 2010, when these events were still fresh, Chappatte and the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi brought together eight Kenyan cartoonists from all sides for a workshop, a public discussion and an exhibition entitled "Ethnicity and the quest for a Kenyan national identity". A drawing competition for young people was also held.

At the workshop, Chappatte put a challenge to his eight colleagues: everyone had two days to produce an original cartoon that would be captured on video. Used in an awareness-raising campaign in the country, these video clips are meant to be thought provoking – while raising smiles.

The Swiss dimension
Invited to exhibit at the “Morges-sous-rire” comedy festival in June 2010, the Kenyan cartoonists had the opportunity for exchanges with their Swiss counterparts and presented their work to the Swiss President Doris Leuthard. They were also received in Geneva by Kofi Annan, a key figure in the Kenyan crisis.