The president of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto who was sworn in on Tuesday 13th September 2022, as the 5th President of Kenya, officially unveiled his flag, which is a symbol of the head of state. It is mandatory for it to be displayed alongside the national flag and raised wherever the president is and pulled down as soon as he leaves. It is designed and made to the President-elect’s liking by the Kenya Defence Force.
Structure of the flag
The flag bears the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party symbol, a wheelbarrow. According to the party, it symbolizes “the value, dignity and respect of work in pursuit of an equitable society”. The flag also has one of the party’s dominant colours, yellow. It also contains two crossed spears and a shield bearing the colours of the national flag, as well as the party, green. These two symbolize unity and readiness to defend the country’s freedom.
Previous presidents’ flags
Outgoing President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta had a blue one which was an inspiration from the founding President the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta ( dark blue standard).
For Uhuru, he added a dove symbol-The National Alliance party symbol while his father’s yellow cockerel was the Kenya African National Union party symbol.
Kenya’s third President, the late Mwai Kibaki’s Presidential Standard was white, adorned with a shield in the centre bearing the Kenya national colours between two olive branches which signified peace.
The late Daniel Moi was green, with a red cockerel.
Besides the flag, President Ruto has also unveiled his official portrait to be posted at official government events. Ruto took the oath of office at Kasarani Stadium witnessed by thousands of Kenyans and more than 20 heads of state.