Patriot's Diary # 5: A salute to the citizenry!

The Kenyan flag; what a beaut! I look around at other national flags, some I find cool and outstanding, but there’s something about our flag. First the colour combination, red, black, green and white the right shades of each. Then there is the Maasai shield with the two white spears. The flag in itself is sovereignty.

There is the symbolism of every element of the flag, the green symbolizing the country’s natural wealth, the red for the blood shed to deliver this country from colonial affliction, the white a sign of peace and the black, the colour of the majority of the nation. The Maasai shield and spear represent the defense of all of the forementioned.

I can’t really explain it, but there is a purity and pride in knowing that you are associated with it. I know in my earlier postings I made fun of it but the truth is the athletic and social milestones that have seen that flag raised and brought us back from the brink, gives me great joy.

The athletes in championships breaking world records, the national sports teams; boxers, swimmers, football teams, rugby teams, all singing along to the words of the National Anthem as the flag is hoisted, or before a match begins, Wangari Maathai receiving the Noble peace prize, amazing! It’s as if every time the flag is hoisted it’s a salute to the citizens for keeping the great work up. I guess that’s what it is; the Kenyan flag like every national flag is a salute to its citizenry.

The flag is also a sign of the communion of countrymen and women; this makes more sense when it is tied in with our National Anthem which is unique in that, it is a prayer. This is the Kiswahili and English version of the first stanza of the National Anthem.

Ee mungu Nguvu Yetu
Ilete Baraka kwetu
Haki iwe Ngao na Mlinzi
Natukae na uhuru
Amani na Undugu
Raha tupate na Ustawi

Oh! God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in Unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.

The beauty of it is, even if you are conscious of it or not, with every word you utter of the National Anthem, it is a prayer of hope and thanksgiving. I am grateful to the writers of it because it is clear that thought and heart was put into it. It’s the soul, prayer and pleas for this beautiful land to live and grow in love and prosperity. That’s what makes my country so wonderful. When all is said and done, we are a Nation established on hope. Now that’s reason enough to adore and sacrifice for this country; Kenya.