Here's the danger of being nave about our flag

Politicians cover their legs with a Kenyan flag during a church service before the 2022 General Election. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The obsession with restricting the use of the Kenyan flag has been relentless yet illogical in every sense. We have permitted outmoded laws and overbearing State officials to perpetuate 'mystery' around a key national item that signifies our identity, unity and pride.

A cursory look will tell you Kenya is among countries where citizens aren't big on the flag. They fear touching let alone owning or keeping one at home. It almost scares them off. Here, you must be in a position of privilege to flaunt the flag. Governors tried to fly it in 2014 but quickly recoiled after their bid met full fire from Parliament and the Office of the Attorney General. The courts too flipped the bird!

On July 26, 1963, the Kenyan flag was unveiled upon the dawn of the republic. Decades later, we have clung to the dark past where the graceful symbol of nationhood is used, or misused, by a few just to tout power - and naivety is at the heart of it all.

The law, as we know, largely limits ordinary Kenyans from flying or displaying the flag on any premises not owned by the State or during occasions other than public holidays. As per the National Flag, Emblems and Names (Amendment) Act 2014, only the President, his deputy, Cabinet Secretaries, the Chief Justice, speakers and diplomats in foreign missions can fly the flag. Going against the Act attracts a Sh1 million fine of a jail term of five years or both.

In other jurisdictions such as the UK, who are our colonial 'mentors', no permission is needed to fly the national flag. In any case, they're excluded from planning and advertising regulations as per the official British flag protocol. In the US, private citizens have big leeway. The country's flag code is followed on a voluntary basis. The US apex court ruled that politically-motivated violations of the 50-star flag are protected by the First Amendment. It means there's little states can do when the flag code is abused yet the high volume of the flag paraphernalia in the US will baffle you.

Our case and that of many African nations defy logic. I have argued here before that there are things we love but which add no value. Take the case of the presidency's obsession with the red-carpets and aide de camps. They are costly feel-good practices long overtaken by time.

Politicians need moral and intellectual edification. We need pivotal legislative pushes so that citizens aren't unreasonably denied their flag, a treasure that represents devotion to the republic. It embodies patriotism, independence, nationalism and other aspects that bind. Don't we all love it when we see our athletes wrapped in it?

Because of these ideals, higher priority should be allowing as many countrymen and women to associate with our flag. If the flag is installed, waved or displayed respectfully, it helps us affirm our nationalism in a heartfelt style across all the strata.

Vesting the powers to interact with the flag on a select few does not chance us all to find causes we truly believe in together. Yet gain, the few privileged to fly it are not necessarily better patriots. I salute Kenyans who boast our national colours on wrist bands.

In having more of the flag colours in lapels, car stickers, lesos, miniatures, on private roofs and paintings on walls, bridges and other infrastructure, we can make it part of our daily lives as we seek to build better while taking pride in our shared history. We deserve to show patriotism with the Kenyan flag in churches, private buildings, porches, kiosks and everywhere.

And MPs can be a force for good in removing laws killing patriotism. Those that deny us basic liberties. That's not to say we allow demeaning application of the flag. It comes with responsibility.

The writer is an editor at The Standard. Twitter: @markoloo