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Kenya

Jamhuri ya Kenya

2:3~ by Zeljko Heimer, 28 May 2002

Explanation of the flag
Flag construction sheet
Coat of Arms
Possible flag change?
combined armed forces flag

Other Kenyan pages:

See also:

Explanation of the flag

The flag was adopted on 12 December 1963. It is based on the black over red over green flag of KANU (Kenya African National Union) that led the fight for freedom. The colors symbolize black majority, blood and natural wealth. On independence the white fimbriation was added, symbolizing peace. The defence of freedom is symbolized by a traditional Masai shield and two spears.
Zeljko Heimer, 24 Feb 1996

[smi80] designates this flag to be the state ensign too (i.e. CSW/CS-)
Zeljko Heimer, 15 Jan 2001

National Flag and Jack.
The national flag is a black-red-green tricolor with white fimbriations and overall a Masai shield and two white spears. The shield is red with black flanks and a white disk in the middle and four white charges. The Album 2000 is the first place where I see the constrruction details for this flag, and it defines the ratio of three stripes as 6+1+6+1+6. I guess that there may have existed also detailed construction sheet of the central emblem too.
Source: Album 2000.
Zeljko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

Kenya Flag
Flag Overall Dimensions - 3:2
Three major strips - Black , Red , and Green separated by narrow white strips. A symmetrical shield and spears superimposed centrally.
Black represents the people of Kenya.
Red represents the struggle for freedom.
Green represents Kenya's agriculture and natural resources.
White represents Unity and Peace.
The black, red and white shield symbolizes the defense of freedom.

Kenyan Flag Specifications
All Materials to conform to the appropriate B.S.S (British Standard Specifications).
All dimensions given do not necessarily represent any particular measurements and are merely proportional.
Red to be 'Post Office Red', B.S shade reference 0-006
Green to be B.S shade reference 0-010.
Source: this website.
Dov Gutterman, 27 May 2002

Flag construction sheet

by Zeljko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

Click here for the flag construction sheet. It is based on the link Dov provided. I pictured in double the standard size, for clarity reasons.
Zeljko Heimer, 28 May 2002

Kenyan coat of arms

by Zeljko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

The COA greatly based on the black-white one provided in Corel Clipart collection:
Zeljko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

The arms were granted on October 15, 1963.
The shape of the shield and spears are those used by the Masaii tribe. Harambee is the motto of the chief political party KANU (Kenya African National Union) and means "all pull together". It was used by the first President Jomo Kenyatta to try to turn 50-60 disparate tribes into one nation at independence. The chicken is the symbol of the KANU. The shield colors represent the struggle for independence - green is the earth, red is the blood of the Mau Mau warriors for independence and black the rich soils. The lions are obviously a key animal in Kenya's wildlife parks.
Info from Ralf Hartemink's website. See also: this website.
Jarig Bakker, 25 February 1999

Possible flag change?

So there is a new (interim) presidential flag. But I was wondering, since the national flag of Kenya is based on the flag of the KANU party who lost power, can we sooner or later expect a new national flag for Kenya as well?
Mark Sensen, 31 Dec 2002

combined armed forces flag

Jan Oskar Engene wrote about the new presidential flag after the Dec 2002 presidential elections from this webpage.
There's one more note of interest:
"During the ceremony, the combined armed forces flag flew throughout and fluttered in the gentle wind next to the country’s national flag."
The president is also the Commander-in-Chief.
I don't think we have the combined armed forces flag on FOTW-ws.
Jarig Bakker, 31 Dec 2002