Man behind ‘Juha Kalulu’ cartoon strip dies at 86
Edward Gicheri Gitau works on his "Juha Kalulu" cartoon at Nation Centre. Mr Gitau, who drew his cartoon strip for 62 years, died at Gatundu District Hospital in Kiambu County on May 17, 2016. He was aged 86. FILE PHOTO | FREDRICK ONYANGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- His works were first published in the Tazama newspaper, then in Baraza,
- Mr Gitau then moved to Taifa Leo, where he worked until his death.
- Mr Gitau was born on December 8, 1930 in Gichuka, Kiambu.
- He attended Kenya Teachers College in Githunguri between 1947 and 1948.
The oldest cartoonist in the region, Edward Gicheri Gitau, popularly known as Juha Kalulu, died Tuesday at Gatundu District Hospital in Kiambu County.
He was 86 and is survived by 11 children.
His "Juha Kalulu" cartoon strip has been published in Taifa Leo since 1961.
Mr Gitau was born on December 8, 1930 in Gichuka in Kiambu.
He attended Kenya Teachers College in Githunguri between 1947 and 1948.
His work was first published in the Tazama newspaper, then in Baraza,
Mr Gitau then moved to Taifa Leo, where he worked until his death.
Nation Media Group Editor-in-Chief Tom Mshindi said the company had learnt “with profound shock” about the death of Mr Gitau.
“Mr Gitau has been part of the NMG family for 62 years, creating and diligently nurturing what is easily the most popular cartoon strip in Kiswahili — 'Juha Kalulu',” said Mr Mshindi.
Mzee Edward Gicheri Gitau, popularly known as "Juha Kalulu", receives a caricature of himself from fellow painter and "student" John Nyaga at a past event. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
