Public institutions to hoist EAC flag, sing anthem

The East African Community flag on June 24, 2010. All schools will be required to hoist the EAC flag and sing the EAC anthem alongside Kenyan flag and national anthem. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • It was adopted in the 12th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State meeting in Arusha, Tanzania on December 3, 2010.
  • Cabinet directed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government and all law enforcement agencies to prosecute all those who have invaded private ranches and farms.

All Government offices and public institutions will now hoist the East African Community flag and sing the national anthem in a move intended to “boost and promote the EAC integration”.

The same will be done in all public events with immediate effect, alongside the Kenya national flag and anthem, according to a communique of the Sixth Cabinet meeting by the office of the president to media houses Thursday.

Also, all schools will be required to hoist the EAC flag and sing the EAC anthem alongside Kenyan flag and national anthem.

The anthem — also Wimbo wa Jumuiya Afrika Mashariki — is made up of three-stanza composition written in Kiswahili with part of the chorus stating: “Jumuiya Yetu sote tuilinde…Tuwajibike tuimarike…Umoja wetu ni nguzo yetu…Idumu Jumuiya yetu.”

It was adopted in the 12th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State meeting in Arusha, Tanzania on December 3, 2010.

Other policy issues that were discussed and agreed during the Cabinet meeting was that Ministries should immediately settle all pending payments to suppliers giving priority to Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO).

Another was the Cabinet approved Joint Venture between Government of Kenya and De La Rue Currency and security printing company.

Where, under the new arrangement, a special purpose vehicle will be formed through which the Government will acquire a 40 per cent shareholding in De La Rue Kenya Ltd.

This will enable the Government to earn revenue from the venture.

Lastly, Cabinet directed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government and all law enforcement agencies to prosecute all those who have invaded private ranches and farms in Laikipia, Kilifi and other parts of the country.