Government Vehicles to Wear Flag Colors, Gen Zs

The Gen Zs are provocatively demanding that all government vehicles be painted in the colors of the Kenyan flag—red, green, black, and white.

Well, this is not merely about changing the appearance of these vehicles. It has been a common experience of the frustration of being stuck in traffic as government vehicles speed by with sirens blaring.

For many young Kenyans, this is more than an inconvenience. It’s broader issue of power, arrogance, and visibility.

Saying that the vehicles wear the Kenyan national flag means that every other Kenyan will know who is behind the wheel of the taxpayer-funded vehicles.

The belief is one among many, and the Gen Zs are on a journey to ensuring greater sense of accountability.

The push echoes a similar initiative concerning school buses in the country. In 2017, Kenya enacted a law that saw all school buses painted yellow.

The directive by the then education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i was part of the Traffic Amendment Bill 2016, which aimed to enhance safety for all school children.

Why Yellow?

The decision was based on some safety research that yellow objects are more visible in foggy weather compared to red.

The idea was to heighten visibility to ensure all drivers and pedestrians see school buses. This has been especially useful in poor weather conditions, at dawn, or dusk.

On to Government Vehicles

The argument is that government vehicles are purchased and maintained by taxpayer money, and should be easily identifiable to the Kenyan public.

But only certain government vehicles are allowed to fly the national flag, according to Act No. 32 of 1964, s. 2.

High-ranking officials permitted to fly the national flag on their motor vehicles include the President, the Deputy President, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, and Diplomats on foreign missions.

The vehicles are often identifiable by the prominent display of the Kenyan flag and other national symbols. Usually, the flags are on the body of the car.

However, having all government vehicles marked in red, green, white and black, the Gen Zs argue that this will make the vehicles immediately recognizable by the Kenyan people.

The rebranding would probably include presidential and ministerial vehicles, police cars and ambulances, government service vehicles, and public utility vehicles.

So, the discussion is on, and more than just a cosmetic change.