The Kenya flag was officially adopted on December 12, 1963. The black is said to represent the Kenyan people; red symbolizes the blood they spilled fighting colonialism; green the country's landscape and white means peace.
The traditional African shield is centered.
Kenya's coat of arms contains two lions (a symbol of protection) supporting a traditional East African shield. Both the shield and spears crossed behind it are representative of unity and defense of freedom, while the rooster at the center of the shield symbolizes the dawn of a new day.
The national motto of Kenya Harambee ("Let us all pull together") is displayed on a ribbon below.