AS SEEN ON TV: MWAI KIBAKI OF KENYA

And now for something completely different.....

MWAI KIBAKI
PRESIDENT OF KENYA

AS SEEN ON:
'XYZ SHOW'

From BBC News, by Will Ross:

The satirical puppet show, which was influenced by the British 1980s show 'Spitting Image' and France's 'Les Guignols', is a chance for a group of scriptwriters and puppeteers to delve into the murky world of Kenyan politics.

The man behind it is East Africa's best known cartoonist, Gado, who has been taking a pop at Kenya's elite for years and encourages people to question events in Kenya.

"I think it's everybody's duty," he said.

"You can't put that responsibility on one individual, as every Kenyan should contribute to expose what is happening and to expose corruption."

Kenya has its fair share of political scandals and people have a fairly low view of their politicians, several of whom were accused of stoking the ethnic violence which flared after the disputed election in December 2007.

Kenya's 'XYZ Show' has been in the pipeline since 2002 but was recently given a financial leg-up when several embassies and the Ford Foundation came forward to support it.

Projects that might help keep the politicians under scrutiny and promote democracy and accountability are seen by donors as worth sponsoring.

There was a production delay in the puppet workshop recently as Kenyan customs officials raised a few eyebrows over a small package which apparently contained the eyes of the First Lady, Lucy Kibaki.

Here's the trailer for the show which showcases President Kibaki:

BCnU!