Biography
Terry Hirst was the first political cartoonist in Kenya. Born in Britain, he moved to Kenya in the mid-1960s to help with art-teacher training at Kenyatta College. Hirst quickly began freelancing as an artist and cartoonist with papers like the Daily Nation and then in the early 1970s Hirst teamed up with Hilary Ng’weno to start the satirical magazine, Joe. Joe addressed more than daily life, focusing on social and political issues. Despite the success Hirst and Ng’weno achieved with Joe, the magazine ceased production in 1979. After Joe, Hirst went on to illustrate the popular comic book series, Pichadithi and other development oriented comics.
News
- Kimani wa Wanjiru. “Terry Hirst: The Trailblazer Editorial Cartoonist and Comic Author in Kenya,” Kimaniwawanjiru Blog, 2 September 2014.
- Frederiksen, Bodil Folk. “Joe, the Sweetest Reading in Africa: Documentation and Discussion of a Popular Magazine in Kenya.” African Languages and Cultures, 4.2 (1991): 135-155.
Books
A selection of Terry Hirst’s many authored and illustrated works.
- Hirst, Terry and Davinder Lamba. Place of Kenya in existing political systems: What place will the new constitution take? Nairobi: Mazingira Institute, 2004.
- Hirst, Terry and Davinder Lamba. Introducing the Constitution of Kenya. Nairobi: Mazingira Institute, 1999.
- Hirst, Terry. Human & People’s Rights: Stories, Pictures, and Conversations about the Issues. Nairobi: Mazingira Institute, 1996.
- Hirst, Terry. Omganda’s Treasure. Nairobi: Kenway Publications, 1985.
- Hirst, Terry. The Amazing Abu Nuwasi: Stories of the Famous Kenyan Trickster from the Coast. Nairobi: Kenway Publications, 1984.
- Hirst, Terry. The Adventures of Hare. Nairobi: Kenway Publications, 1984.
- Hirst, Terry. The Greedy Hyena: Classic Hyena Stories. Nairobi: Kenway Publications, 1983.