Flag of Kenya

Horizontal bands of black, red and green, separated by thin white stripes. In the centre is a red, white and black Maasai shield over two crossed white spears.

What the flag means

In the usual explanation, given in the flag's specification sheet, black is the people of Kenya, red the struggle for freedom, green agriculture and natural resources, and white unity and peace. The shield and spears stand for defence.

History

The black, red and green go back to the Kenya African Union flag of 1952 and were taken up by KANU in 1960. Some officials wanted KANU's flag as the national flag, but Tom Mboya warned that this would deepen political divisions. A committee set up by Jomo Kenyatta combined it with the flag of the rival KADU, adding white stripes and a shield and spears. The flag was adopted at independence on 12 December 1963.

The 2010 constitution includes a full specification of the flag, with colours defined by British Standard 2660.

Earlier flags of Kenya

1921–1963British Blue Ensign with the badge of the Colony of Kenya

Flags of Kenya's neighbours

Sources

Wikipedia: Flag of Kenya
Flags of the World: Kenya

Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Read how we research flags in our editorial policy, or report a mistake.