The government has embarked on a process to select a national flower for Kenya, saying it would boost the country’s image and identification.
The process is being driven by Ministry for Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR) and a team formed to look at the terms of reference was supposed to complete its work by Friday, 4th January 2013.
A country flower is a flowering plant chosen to symbolize a country. However, unlike many other countries, Kenya does not currently have an official national flower.
During a meeting held shortly before Christmas break to develop a roadmap for selecting the national flower of Kenya, Permanent Secretary Ali Mohamed, said the national floral emblem will help unite the people of Kenya.
He described nature as a fundamental pillar of Kenya’s culture, economic development and national pride hence the initiation of the process that would lead to the adoption of a national floral emblem.
“The national floral emblem will help unite the people of Kenya and enable the country to better identify with the many cultural, spiritual and economic benefits that nature provides,” the PS said in his brief.
Brand Kenya Board will assist in crafting the communication that will be put on electronic and print media. The Ministry will also start the discussion on social media to collect suggestions. It was also suggested that an exhibition be organized and a team of experts co-opted to assist in selecting the flower.
Stakeholders to be involved in the whole process include, Kenya Flower Council, Kenya Wildlife Service, MEMR, National Museums of Kenya, Ministry of Education, NEMA, Brand Kenya Board and KEFRI, among others. Members of the public can also submit their suggestions tokfc@wananchi.com.
KFC contributions will be key due to the commercial aspect of the new project. National country flowers have existed primarily in the United Kingdom for ages, for instance, the Red rose of Lancashire which dates from the Middle Ages.
But other countries also have them. In 1986 president Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the floral emblem of the United States. In the US, state flowers and state trees have also been adopted as symbols by state legislatures.
BY John Oyuke
The Standard,
January 1, 2013,
Today in Business, Page 23.
