Flag of Kenya
countryThe flag of Kenya was adopted on December 12, 1963. Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations and a Maasai shield with spears. It uses 4 colours: black, red, green and white. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Kenya |
|---|---|
| Country | Kenya |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Kenya |
| Capital | Nairobi |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | KE / KEN |
| Internet Domain | .ke |
| Calling Code | +254 |
| Currency | Kenyan shilling (KES) |
| National Language(s) | English, Swahili |
| Demonym | Kenyan |
| Area | 580,367 km² |
| Population | 57 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Kenya |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | December 12, 1963 |
| First Used | 1963 |
| Current Version Adopted | December 12, 1963 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Black, Red, Green, White |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations and a Maasai shield with spears |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Kenya |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Red | #BB0000 | 187, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 27 | |
| Green | #006600 | 0, 102, 0 | 100, 0, 100, 60 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the people of Kenya |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed for independence |
| Green colour | Represents the landscape and natural wealth |
| White colour | Represents peace and honesty |
| Maasai shield and two crossed spears | The defence of everything the other colours stand for |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1963 | The design was first used |
| 1963-12-12 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Kenya Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Kenya
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 63 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | December 12, 1963 |
| Oldest Version | 1963 |
| Most Common Color | Black |
| Similar Flags | Cambodia, Colorado, Croatia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations and a Maasai shield with spears |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Kenya
- The Maasai shield and crossed spears sit over the bands rather than inside a canton, which makes the flag unusually assertive in composition.
- The white fimbriation between the black, red and green bands was added to the original design of the KANU party flag when it became the national flag in 1963.
- Kenyan law restricts commercial use of the flag and the coat of arms without authorisation.
- The flag of Kenya was officially adopted on December 12, 1963.
- The flag in its present form is 63 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations and a Maasai shield with spears.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: black, red, green and white.
- The black on the flag stands for the people of Kenya.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed for independence.
- The green on the flag stands for the landscape and natural wealth.
- Maasai shield and two crossed spears: The defence of everything the other colours stand for.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem" family, shared with 19 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Cambodia, Colorado and Croatia.
- Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963 from the United Kingdom.
- Athletics, and distance running in particular, is the sport Kenya is known for; football is the most played.
- The national animal is the lion.
- The national anthem is "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Kenya
When was the flag of Kenya adopted?
The flag of Kenya was officially adopted on December 12, 1963.
What do the colours of the flag of Kenya mean?
Black for the people of Kenya, red for the blood shed for independence, green for the landscape and natural wealth and white for peace and honesty.
When did Kenya gain independence?
Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Kenya?
Athletics, and distance running in particular, is the sport Kenya is known for; football is the most played.
What do the symbols on the flag of Kenya represent?
Maasai shield and two crossed spears — The defence of everything the other colours stand for.
What are the proportions of the flag of Kenya?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Kenya?
The national anthem is "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu".
When is the national day of Kenya?
It falls on 12 December, Jamhuri Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Kenya?
The national animal is the lion.
What is the capital of Kenya?
The capital is Nairobi. The currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES) and the language spoken is English, Swahili.