Why flying Embus County flag could cost you

By Antony Ndwigah

It will be an offense for Embu residents to disrespect, disfigure or display county emblems. Committing such an offense will attract a fine of Sh50, 000 at most or a jail term not exceeding three months.

The County Assembly this week passed the Embu County Symbols Bill which outlaws the displaying in public the Embu County flag by unauthorized persons, commercial use of the county slogan “Land of Opportunities”, or alteration of any county emblem.

The bill, which now awaits gubernatorial assent to become law, designates the Governor his Deputy, County Executive Committee members and County Assembly Speaker as the only authorized county officials to fly the county flag on their official vehicles.

However, Embu County residents have opposed penalties for persons who will illegally fly the county flag or display the coat of arms without authority as contained in the proposed bill.

Bishop Peter Gichovi said it would be ironical for his son to be arrested for flying the county flag on his bike, whereas boda boda operators had miniature national flags flying on their motorcycles.

On his part, Kagaari South MCA Robert Ireri protested the inclusion of the penalties which he termed too harsh for the residents of the county. Robert called on Governor Martin Wambora not to assent to the bill and return it to the Assembly with a memorandum to amend the penalties.

The Chairman of the County Assembly Committee on Administration and Public Service Martin Mwangi had in the past promised to expunge the ‘offensive’ clause in the bill to ease the unnecessary tension that county symbols were creating in the county citizenry.