OPINION: The honour of our flag, The soul of our nation

By Geoffrey Pkite Mosol

A quick reminder on the essence of our National Flag amid snippets of clips on social media showing young people disrespecting it, oblivious to the consequences that may befall them.

The Kenyan flag, unveiled at independence in 1963, is more than a national emblem — it is the living soul of our Republic. Each colour carries sacred meaning: black for our people, red for the bloodshed in liberation, green for the wealth of resources of our land, and white for peace. At its centre, the shield and spears stand as a solemn reminder that freedom was not given, but defended with courage and sacrifice.

Our flag unites us across tribe, faith and region. It is the symbol under which we celebrate triumphs, mourn tragedies and renew our national promise. To dishonour it is to trample on the memory of those who died to raise it high. Such an act is sacrilege — an affront that invites not only deep emotional outrage from patriots but also stern legal punishment from the State.

Every citizen has a sacred duty to uphold the dignity of our flag. Whether it flies in schools, in public squares, or on the battlefield, its presence must remind us of our shared responsibility to guard the values it represents: unity, resilience and peace. To salute the flag is to salute our own identity, to affirm our place in the enduring story of Kenya.

As we face the challenges of modern times, the flag remains our compass. It calls us to rise above division and selfishness, to pursue the common good, and to defend the integrity of our Nation with the same resolve shown by our forebears. To respect it is to respect ourselves; to protect it is to protect the hope of the future generations.

Let us therefore revere the Kenyan flag, defend it in spirit and in deed. Importantly, we must pass on to the future generations the respect it deserves — for in it lies our unity, our history, and our destiny.