Military Officer Explains Reasons Why It's Wrong To Bury Person With Kenyan Flag Draped Over Coffin

The bodies of Rex Masai (l) and Andrew Mwawasi (r) in caskets draped with the Kenyan flag. Photos: Boniface Mwangi.

Source: Facebook

A recent practice of draping the national flag over the caskets of civilians has ignited a heated debate in Kenya.

This discussion gained traction following the funerals of protestors who opposed the Finance Bill 2024. While some believe this gesture honors their sacrifice, others argue it disrespects a symbol of national pride.

The national flag is a powerful emblem of a country's identity and values. Using it to cover a casket is viewed by some as a form of desecration. 

According to a Kenyan military official, flag protocols strictly outline how a flag should be treated. 

These protocols emphasize that the flag should not be buried or allowed to touch the ground. Burying a flag with a body is seen as violating these guidelines, which are intended to preserve the flag’s dignity and symbolic importance.

Flag etiquette varies globally, but it generally prohibits using the flag in ways deemed disrespectful. 

In military funerals, the flag is ceremoniously draped over the casket during the service but is removed, folded, and presented to the family before burial.

This practice honors the deceased while ensuring the flag is not interred with the body, maintaining respect for the flag as a national symbol. Deviating from this established practice can lead to public disapproval and legal consequences.

The practice of burying civilians with the flag has sparked controversy because it offends the cultural and patriotic sentiments of many Kenyans. 

For instance, the burial of protestor Rex Masai with the flag prompted backlash from citizens who felt that the flag should not be used in this manner. 

Critics argue that burying the flag, a symbol meant to represent the nation, with any individual, civilian or military, undermines its significance and disrespects those who view it with deep reverence.

The materials used to make flags often do not decompose easily, raising environmental concerns when they are buried.

 Flags are typically retired through burning in a respectful ceremony, a method that ensures they are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. Burying them, on the other hand, contributes to long-term pollution.