Flag of Kenya

Meaning and history of the flag of Kenya

Kenya's flag consists of three horizontal stripes, black over red over green, separated by thin white lines. Superimposed at the center is a red, black, and white Maasai warrior's shield crossed by two spears. Black represents the Kenyan people, red the blood shed in the struggle for independence, green the country's natural wealth, and white peace and unity.

The design was adopted on December 12, 1963, the day Kenya gained independence from British rule. It is based on the flag of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the party of founding father Jomo Kenyatta, to which the white stripes and the Maasai shield and spears were added. The shield and spears symbolize the Kenyan people's readiness to defend their freedom and their land.

Kenya's flag stands out among African flags thanks to its central Maasai shield, a feature that immediately sets it apart from other flags using similar pan-African colors. Its color layout resembles that of South Sudan's flag, but the shield and spears make it unmistakable. It is also one of the few national flags to feature traditional indigenous weaponry as its central element rather than European-style heraldic symbols.

You can view the flag of Kenya in high resolution above and download it in several sizes for personal, educational or reference use. To explore more, visit the full Kenya profile, its map, or the current local time in Nairobi.