MP drafts Bill to allow governors fly National flag
Eldas MP Adan Keynan has drafted amendments to the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act to have governors included in the list of government officials whose cars can be bedecked with a national flag. Photo/FILE
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The move by Eldas MP Adan Keynan follows Attorney-General Githu Muigai’s warning to governors not to have the flags on their official vehicles saying they risked a fine of Sh2,000 or two months imprisonment.
Mr Keynan said the amendment would allow everyone to use the flag as an inherent right as long as they use it in a dignified manner.
However Kieni MP J.M Kanini Keega differed with Mr Keynan intentions saying the use of the National flag should be restricted to the President and his Cabinet.
A Member of Parliament has drafted amendments to the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act to have governors included in the list of government officials whose cars can be bedecked with a national flag.
The move by Eldas MP Adan Keynan follows Attorney-General Githu Muigai’s warning to governors not to have the flags on their official vehicles saying they risked a fine of Sh2,000 or two months imprisonment.
“I have already drafted the Bill and forwarded it to the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi for approval. I hope it will be the first business to be transacted after the House is inaugurated,” Mr Keynan said.
He said the Bill seeks to provide for an extension of the usage of the National flag to include other Kenyans who will be expected to use it in a “dignified way.”
Under the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act Cap 99 Laws of Kenya, only the President, Vice-President, Chief Justice, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ministers, and the Attorney-General are allowed to fly the National flag.
The law stipulates that those who fly the National flag on any motor vehicle against the law shall be guilty of an offence and if convicted fined Sh2, 000 or two months in jail.
Mr Keynan said legislators needed to create a constitutionally enshrined scope for the devolved system to work.
Mr Keynan said Prof Muigai’s directive stopping governors from flying the flags was a belated attempt by the Executive to demean the County Government.
Governors had vowed to disregard the directive but none had the flag on their cars at the induction going on at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.
Mr Keynan said the amendment would allow everyone to use the flag as an inherent right as long as they use it in a dignified manner.
“This will end the notion of the big-man syndrome,” Mr Keynan told a press conference at Parliament Buildings.
However Kieni MP J.M Kanini Keega differed with Mr Keynan intentions saying the use of the National flag should be restricted to the President and his Cabinet.
“If the county governors want to fly the flags, they should fly flags that are specifically tailored to their respective counties. They should fly county flags as was the case with the former mayors and council chairmen,” he said.
Mr Keega argued that allowing every Kenyan to fly a National flag would be a recipe for confusion.
“It will not be wrong for one to hoist a flag at his or her home. Allowing everyone to fly the National flag will water down the respect we have for our National flag,” said the Kieni MP.
