Kenya Flag

Kenya's flag has three horizontal stripes — black (top), red (middle), green (bottom) — separated by thin white borders. At the centre is a traditional Maasai warrior's shield and two crossed spears in red, black, and white.

Black represents the Kenyan people; red the blood shed for independence; green the land; white peace. The Maasai shield and spears represent the defence of freedom and national heritage.

The flag derives from the banner of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the party that led Kenya to independence. It was adopted on 12 December 1963 when Kenya became independent from Britain.

The Maasai shield was added to the KANU tricolour to distinguish the national flag from a plain black-red-green banner. The design has remained unchanged since independence, and 12 December (Jamhuri Day) remains Kenya's primary national holiday.