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Kenya

Jamhuri ya Kenya

2:3~ image by Željko Heimer, 28 May 2002

Explanation of the flag
Flag construction sheet
Coat of Arms
Combined Armed Forces flag

See also:

Explanation of the flag

The flag of Kenya was adopted on 12 December 1963. It is based on the black over red over green flag of KANU (Kenya African National Union), the party that led the fight for freedom and independence. The colours 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.
Željko Heimer, 24 Feb 1996

[smi80] designates this flag to be the state ensign too (i.e. CSW/CS-)
Željko 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 construction 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.
Željko 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

image by Željko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

Click here for the flag construction sheet. It is based on the link provided by Dov Gutterman.
Željko Heimer, 28 May 2002

Kenyan coat of arms

image by Željko Heimer, 30 Mar 2002

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

The arms were granted on October 15, 1963.
The shape of the shield and spears are those used by the Masai 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

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.
Jarig Bakker, 31 Dec 2002