Controversy Erupts Over Use of Kenyan Flag in Protester’s Burial

Concerns have been raised by the government especially those in military after protesters who lost their lives during the anti-tax and anti-government protests have been buried with the Kenyan flag.

This after Boniface Mwangi a human rights activist came up with the idea that protesters to buried with the Kenyan flag. This raised different reactions from Kenyans after Rex Masai and Andrew Mwawasi’s caskets were dropped with Kenyan flags.

Critics stated that was a wrong move as the Kenyan flag is one the most respected country’s symbol so it’s wrong to bury a civilian draped in a casket. A military officer explained that using a national flag to bury a casket is inappropriate.

He stated that is disrespect to the flag as the country’s flag symbolises national pride and disrespect. Flag protocol also dictates that specific protocols regarding the handling and disposal of the flag.

“These often include not allowing the flag to touch the ground or be buried,” He stated.

In addition to that he stated that burying a casket with the national flag is violation of the flag etiquette and violating these can lead to consequences and public disapproval.

In military funerals, the flag is draped over the casket but removed, folded and handed over to the family before the burial. “This honours the deceased while maintaining respect to the flag,” he said.

Another reason as to why the national flag should not be buried is because of cultural sensitivity as it offends the patriotic citizens who views the flag with deep respect.

“With due respect, it’s not right to bury the national flag. It’s spiritually and morally wrong; we can’t even lay our flags to rest, even in military and police flags which are removed as the casket descendents. Our flag must fly high,” digital Kenyan cops stated.

The military also explained that the national flag is made of material that don’t easily decompose so burying them might contribute to environmental pollution as it may take so long to decompose.

“Flags that are no longer fit for display are typically retired in a dignified manner, such as being burned in ceremonial processes rather than being buried,” the military said.

Despite the military criticising this, other Kenyans demand that they really deserved to be buried with the national flag to show respect as they died fighting for the country.

It is said that the bodies of the deceased might be exhumed to remove the national flag. This is a conversation that Gen Zs on X say that if they dare exhume the bodies they will say hi to them “Tutawasalimia kidogo”.