Uproar over Kabogo’s ‘illegal’ flag, symbols

What you need to know:

  • Members attending the Wednesday session said they had never approved any Motion on what constitutes the county’s flag and other symbols of power.
  • Even though Governor William Kabogo does not fly it on his official motor vehicle, the flag in red, white, black and purple colours and bearing the county’s name, stands on the right side of his seat, with the National Flag displayed on the left.
  • It is also raised during official public functions alongside the National Flag.

The disclosure that Kiambu does not have an official flag and other symbols of power caused an uproar in the county assembly, with the members questioning the origin of the one that is currently in use.

Members attending the Wednesday session said they had never approved any Motion on what constitutes the county’s flag and other symbols of power.

“Who gave them the authority to use the flag and the seals they have been putting on licences?” Limuru Central MCA Njenga Murugami asked.

The heated debate was sparked by County Secretary Fred Kitema’s acknowledgment that the county “does not have a flag and has never purported to use any”.

PUBLIC DISPLAY

This, despite the fact the executive uses one during official functions and also has it displayed in its seat of power - the governor’s office.

Even though Governor William Kabogo does not fly it on his official motor vehicle, the flag in red, white, black and purple colours and bearing the county’s name, stands on the right side of his seat, with the National Flag displayed on the left.

It is also raised during official public functions alongside the National Flag.

Mr Kitema’s statement was in response to Ngewa Ward Representative Karungo Thangwa’s demand for an explanation on the use of the flag, and who came up with it.

The statement was read to the House by the Deputy Majority Leader, Ms Margaret Mwago.

Mr Thangwa told the House that the county government had been using “what it claims is an official flag” yet the assembly had not passed any legislation on the creation of county symbols.

The former broadcaster said the flag had been used at official functions such as the governor’s address to the assembly and also during the Kenya Inter-Counties Cultural and Sports Association games in Nakuru, in which Kiambu County’s teams took part.

Mr Thangwa said the county’s official 2014 calendar also bears the same flag.

Section 4 of the County Government Act gives the assembly powers to approve as well as enact legislation governing the use of such symbols.

PROPOSED SYMBOLS

Mr Kitema said the executive was “in the process of preparing the requisite legislative proposals together with suggested county symbols, which will be forwarded to the assembly for approval”.

On July 9, the assembly approved a Motion sponsored by Limuru Central MCA Murugami, seeking to have the members enact a legislation on county flag, county court of arms and its public seal.

On August 12, the assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee reported to the assembly that the prototype of the proposed county symbols was ready and would be presented to the assembly for approval.

Mr Thangwa requested the Leader of the Majority in the county assembly to seek clarification from the executive by Tuesday, as to when the Bill on county symbols would the tabled in the House.