It is with great concern that the Kenya Red Alliance (KRA) has decided to write to you over the issue of the disgraceful Kenyan flag that hangs outside the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm. As you are probably aware, the national flag is a symbol of power, pride and nationhood to all the people of Kenya regardless of where they reside. Government Ministers “fly the flag” when they are being driven around the country in their official cars because they have a duty to the nation and the flag symbolizes this responsibility.
The flag is a respected component of the Kenyan nationhood and should consequently be treated with respect. At the UN headquarters, the Kenyan flag flies high along with other flags because it represents the Kenyan nation. Were the Kenyan flag at the UN offices in New York to degenerate and assume the condition of the tattered flag currently hanging outside the Embassy, it would be a big scandal that would precipitate a complaint through the Kenyan representative at the UN or your boss – Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hon Mr. Moses Wetangula.
When the President of the Republic of Kenya or a government Minister travels abroad to meet officials of other foreign governments or to address International meetings, the Kenya national flag is normally part of the decorations because of the national importance attached to the flag. When Prime Minister Raila Odinga came to Stockholm on an official visit, the national flag was availed by the Embassy at the Hotel where the PM addressed Kenyans because of the role of the flag in our country’s standing as a nation. Our athletes normally grab the national flag after winning gold medals because it is a show that our country – Kenya – is the nation responsible for producing top athletes who win at International tournaments.
In your own territory of Kenya-Stockholm, your office normally avails the national flag at the entrance of the hall during national celebrations so that as you receive guests in the company of your husband and other Embassy officials, they are reminded by the Kenyan flag that the event of the day is of national importance. The significance of our national flag needs no further emphasis.
The Kenya Red Alliance is writing to your office because the Alliance believes that the state of the Kenyan flag hanging outside the Embassy is not only pathetic but also disgraceful. The flag looks weather-beaten while due to the impact of blowing winds, it is folded on its mast in a way that it is no longer recognizable as the official flag of the Republic of Kenya.
The situation is worsened by the fact that you and other members of staff sit in that office on a daily basis after passing under the same flag to gain access to the Embassy where you represent the interest of Kenya in Scandinavia. Under its current state and condition, and given the national symbolism attached to the flag, KRA demands that your office take action and rectify the situation as soon as possible.
During your tenure as Ambassador at the Kenyan Embassy, you have presided ever some of the most catastrophic failures at that office. As late as last month, your office sent away a group of Kenyans who were stranded at the Central Station in Stockholm, leaving them to freeze in the cold. To date, your office has not taken any initiative to investigate the circumstances under which these Kenyans ended up sleeping at the Central Station neither has your office tried to establish their fate. In fact, our intelligence show that your office does not know where these young nationals are at the moment after they got stranded in Stockholm.
You cannot say that you don’t know anything about the state of the Kenyan flag outside the Embassy because the issue has been highlighted by concerned Kenyans and friends of Kenya. By refusing to take action when it is clear that the matter at hand is of national importance, you are further failing in your responsibility as the custodian of our national image in Scandinavia. KRA believes that the flag issue is one of the simplest issues that could have been addressed by your Office as soon as the matter came to light. Turning a blind eye to the issue is not going to resolve it and KRA takes this opportunity to warn you that your current inaction is subjecting the Kenyan nation and her people to a lot of unnecessary ridicule.
Kenya Embassy in Stockholm carters for the whole of the Scandinavian countries and therefore, it is important that a better image of the country is reflected both inside and outside the Embassy. The truth is that the disgraceful Kenyan flag hanging outside the Embassy is currently a source of big shame to our country. If there was no Ambassador at the Embassy, one could be led to think that the general deterioration at the Embassy is due to a missing Ambassador. Since you are holding office, there is no excuse or explanation that could clarify the state of affairs with respect to the flag.
This is our first official communication with your office on the flag issue and we urge you to take the necessary steps to correct the situation. If you don’t, we will have no option but to take the matter up with your superiors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the President and Office of the Prime Minister. If you continue to remain blind to the reality which has been brought before your very nose, KRA will consider lodging a complaint with the Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry on grounds that the flag is an eye-sore in the streets of Stockholm. This is allowed under the Swedish laws of sanity.
You have failed Kenyans in Scandinavia and this failure should not begin to reflect itself on national issues. KRA will not sit by and watch as the image and general standing of our country is downgraded through acts of irresponsibility and lack of respect to the country’s national symbols. We hope that you will take note and act accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
Okoth Osewe
Interim Secretary
Kenya Red Alliance (KRA)
About the Author
KRAs`concerns directed at purity and her”house staff”(the embassy)has also been my concern although i could not put better than the way O.O.KRA`s interim sec.has put it.i also concur with the KRA`S caurse of action,especially the one expressed in the second last paragraph,since it is the one that can be effected immediatly to set the domino-effect to her bosses back home.Otherwise i hope purity by now has taken cue on the matter and has began to masticate and ponder on the problem.kudos!! KRA for bringing this matter to light again…otherwise……KSB WHATS ON YOUR COURT?
Concerning the flago, on my opinion it should be directed to man Kutut and his or her junior.It does not make sense to me for Lady Purity climbing there or to peep outside the window to see all is well with the flag.
Kutut is the one who should be send home, he is supposed to advice Hon lady Purity. (it is my thought, and I do not disagree with the flow)
This is a big shame even after reading the blog about this flag and it still stands weeks after this issue was brought up.The embassy should know that Kenyans in stockholm are not interfering with there work but just telling the truth through KSB that this flag looks pathetic and embarassing.If you dont fix this as soon as possible we Kenyans will bring the trouble right to that office and you will have to do it because it is your responsibility.
Lakini wewe mzee mama atakua anakuchukia sana
KSB: Amagana, habari ya Norway? Sasa wewe lakini mbwana un onaje hi mambo? Hi fulagi yetu ikae hivyo hivyo vile mueze anasemaga ama?