Wainaina 1

Brian Wainaina Mrs. Raymond January 27, 2014 English 1102 Pride and Joy in Kenyas rich history The Kenyan flag is a flag that tells a beautiful story about what Kenya represents. The flag was adapted as the national flag on December 12, 1963. That is when Jomo Kenyatta the first president of Kenya gave an amazing speech signifying the birth of the republic of Kenya. The flag has three different colors going horizontally. Black being the top, then red and next green with two white strips in between black and red and red and green. In the middle of the flag is a Masai shield and two spears facing up wards in different directions. The red symbolizes the blood shed throughout the years in order to obtain the Kenyan flag. The green symbolizes the plentiful natural resources and the fertile land in Kenya. The black represents the people of Kenya and a sense of taking pride in being black Africans. The Masai shield means Kenya will do whatever it takes to defend its country and the spears mean that Kenya is also willing to engage in war in order to protect Kenya. The lengths that the republic of Kenya went through to obtain our flag which signifies Kenyas independence is having to drive the British military out of Kenya. The fight for freedom was divided into two branches working together one the political group led by Jomo Kenyatta and the military group led by Dedan Kimathi. The military branch conducted attacks on British settlements, people and soldiers. That way making British people feel not safe by being in Kenya. Whereas the political branch conjugated with other

Wainaina 2

African leaders speaking on behalf of Kenya and other African countries to the British on the importance of ending colonization in African states. The national anthem for Kenya is called Eu Mungu Nguvu Yetu (O God, you are our strength). It was decided upon in 1963 by a committee. The process was that citizens were to write a national anthem with the theme of being prideful in being a Kenyan and the committee chose the best one. As a little boy I always use to make fun of my dad for singing it so prideful. Now that I am older and a bit mature I understand that the national anthem means a lot more to him than just a song. One can become a citizen by many different routes. For example since I was born in Kenya I am a citizen of Kenya until the age of 21 because I am a citizen of America as well. When I turn 21 I have to accept my citizenship of Kenya or renounce it. My brother and sister are also eligible to become citizens as well because our parents were born in Kenya and that entitles them to Kenyan citizenship. Kenya also does recognize dual citizenship with partnering countries, so in my case when I am 21 I can declare my Kenyan citizenship and keep my American citizenship as well. For someone to be a citizen that has no ties to Kenya, one must apply, and fill out paper work but there is not a citizen test that one must pass like here in America.

Wainaina 3

Works Cited Murimi, Patrick W. Telephone Interview 26 Jan. 2014 .N.p.. Web. 26 Jan 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/country/kenya.html>. Wainaina, Susan W. Telephone Interview 26 Jan. 2014