"The concept...is a commentary on the constitution-making process in Kenya."
Out in the industrial estates of Nairobi, seemingly miles away from the safe haven of the coffee houses and shopping malls of the wealthy suburbs, I find the GoDown arts centre and more importantly artist
Peterson Kamwathi. Behind the gate sits a cluster of artists studios and makeshift offices filled with young, energetic enterprises from web design to dance and theatre and of course painting and sculpture. Dozens of young Kenyans, jump and spin in unison to the sound of contemporary, native beats. After wandering around the various studios, it is Peterson's studio that captures my attention and I feel awkward as he enters to find me standing uninvited in his space. He immediately puts me at ease with a warm welcome talking me through his work, thoughts and ideas for future projects.
 Peterson signing the woodcut series. Nairobi // June 2007 |
“The concept behind this series of woodcuts is a commentary on the constitutional process in Kenya, mainly sparked by the referendum of November 2005" says Peterson. "I started this series in October that year when those allied for and against the proposed constitution started campaigning. I look at this series not only as a commentary on this issue, but also as a form of archiving images and symbols at this moment in Kenyan history.” |
I find Peterson softly spoken yet firm in his beliefs. He is an observer of life in contemporary Kenya, often commentating on political issues. In the Kenyan Bulls series he refers specifically to the constitutional referendum in 2005. The woodcut prints, each an edition of two, all feature a different cow, the symbol of wealth in Kenya.
'Bananas' and
'Oranges' are symbols of the 'for' and 'against' vote for the constitution (read more below).
'Bomas' is the name given to the draft and the place where the constitution was held; the word also refers to a livestock enclosure which Kenyans use to keep their cattle. The fourth woodcut print,
'Wako' is the name of the Attorney General of Kenya. The picture features men in suits in the background, a potent reminder of the corruption that exists in governmental positions. Amos Wako has managed to retain his position since 1991 despite fierce criticism for failing to prosecute the perpetrators of the post-election violence that killed at least 1,300 people, and for not dealing with the architects of several audacious corruption scams worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Some background on the narrative in Peterson's work...
The promise of a new constitution - Kenya 2002
Under the constitution in 2002, Moi had to step down after a 24-year tenure. The last decade was a testament to the ruler's greed. Infant mortality rates increased rapidly and life expectancy and school enrollment fell; there needed to be a change of government. So, in 2002, an alliance to the new opposition was formed and lead by Mwai Kibaki. In the lead up to the elections, a new constitution was proposed and the whole country joined in the draw it up. After months of debate, a draft was agreed at a conference centre near Nairobi called 'Bomas'. It provided for devolution, a powerful Prime Minister and other reforms that diluted the powers of the Presidency. A deal was made between Kibaki and Odinga, a powerful politician in Moi's government who then switched sides. Kibaki would be President and Odinga Prime Minister. They also agreed that if they came to power they would investigate the previous regime for corruption.
A month before the election Kibaki was injured in a car crash. Odinga went into overdrive, travelling around the country, pushing for Kibaki's bid for the Presidency. Kibaki duly won but he and his allies then agreed that the new constitution had only been neccessary because of Moi. Now he was gone it was safe to have a strong President again. A new constitution was drawn up retaining the presidency as it was. Odinga and the Kenyan people had been double crossed.
The constitutional referendum - Kenya 2005
The proposed new constitution was voted down by a 58% majority of Kenya's voters. Many government officials, including President Mwai Kibaki, had campaigned for a 'Yes' vote on the constitution, which divided the ruling National Rainbow Coalition into camps, for and against the proposal.
Due to the high number of illiterate voters in Kenya, votes are typically cast using symbols rather than text to indicate a preferred candidate. Those who supported the constitution were assigned the symbol of the banana, while the opposition were assigned the orange as their means of representation.
The referendum divided Kenyans and spurred violence between 'Orange' and 'Banana' supporters. 'During the campaign period spread over several months, nine people died but the process itself was peaceful.