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Migori County (Kenya)

Last modified: 2022-10-22 by bruce berry
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image by Jens Pattke, 24 Jan 2015

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Background

Migori County is located in the former Nyanza Province of southwestern Kenya on the border with Tanzania.
Jaume Ollé, 22 Jan 2015


Description of the flag

THE COUNTY FLAG, EMBLEMS AND NAMES BILL, 2014

1 Introduction

Article 174(c) of the Constitution provides for the objectives of devolution, which include giving ‘powers of self-governance to the people’ but at the same time ‘foster national unity by recognizing diversity’. Essential to the meaningful realization of these objectives is the ability of the various counties to exhibit both the exercise and display of authority. In the nineteenth century during the time of colonization, a key evidential factor of control of occupied territory was the flying of the national flag of the colonizing state. Quite apart from these physical aspects, there is a need for a flag unique to the County. A flag reserved for specified officers. The County Flag, Logo and Seal are a symbol of identity and exercise of authority by the County government.

2 Objectives
The object and purpose of the Bill is to enact County legislation to:
(i) Prevent improper use of the County flag and of certain emblems, names, words and likeness for professional and commercial purposes, and to prohibit the display of certain flags.
(ii) Reserve the flying of the flag to His excellence The Governor, Deputy Governor, the Executive Committee Members and the Speaker of the County Assembly.

3 Conclusion

The Bill is crucial because as a County government we need identity. A County flag, Logo and Seal are instruments that signify the exercise of authority. I therefore urge the Hon. Members of legislating arm of Migori County government to consider and approve the bill.

SCHEDULES

A Bill for
An Act of Migori County government to prevent the improper use of the County Flag and of certain emblems, names, words and likenesses for professional and commercial purposes, and to prohibit the display of certain flags. It reserves the flying of the County flag to His Excellency the Governor, Deputy Governor, Executive committee members and the Speaker of the County Assembly and also to give His Excellency the Governor power to fly both National and county flag in all friendly Governments.
We also want acknowledgement of all Head of governments to be allowed to fly their flags in our county while on official duty.

Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the County Flag, Emblems and Names Act.

Interpretation
2. in this Act-
“Executive Committee Member” means the County Executive Committee Member for the time being in charge of Public service
“Specified emblem “means any emblem, seal, flag, pennant, insignia, Ensign or coat-of- arms of a kind specified in Part I of the first Schedule.
“Specified likeness” means any photograph, drawing or other pictorial representation of the person for the time being holding any of the offices Or dignities specified in part III of the First Schedule to this Act.
“Specified name” means any of the names and words specified in Part II of the First Schedule to this Act, and includes any abbreviation of such name.

County flag, Armorial Ensigns, Public Seal declared
3 (1) The flag of which the design and descriptions are set out in part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Act is hereby declared to be the Flag of the Migori County government (in this Act referred to as the County Flag).
(2) The heraldic device of which the blazon and description are set out in part II of the second Schedule to this Act is hereby declared to be the Armorial Ensigns of Migori County (in this Act referred to as the Armorial Ensigns).
(3) The seal of which the design is set out in part III of the second Schedule to this Act is hereby declared to be the Public Seal of Migori County.

Restrictions on flying of the County Flag
4. The flying of the County Flag is hereby reserved for use by His Excellence the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Executive Committee Members and the Speaker of the County Assembly.

Insulting County flag etc. 
5. Any person who shows disrespect, in speech, manner or writing, to or with reference to the County flag, or to any specified emblem, specified likeness or specified name, or any representation thereof, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Prohibition of improper use of emblems, names and likeness
6 (1) notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person shall, except with the written permission of the Executive Committee Member for the time being in charge of Public Service
(a) use any specified emblem, specified name or specified licenses, or any colorable imitations thereof, in furtherance of, or display the same; as an advertisement for; any trade, business, calling or profession; or
(b) Use any specified emblem, specified name or specified likeness, or any colorable imitation thereof, in the title of any patent, or any trade mark or design; or
(c) manufacture or import any article or goods bearing any specified emblem, specified name or specified likeness, or any article or goods on which any title, trade mark or design is used in contravention of paragraph (b) of this subsection.
(2)Subsection (1) (a) of this section relating to the use of a specified likeness shall not apply to the publication of a bona fide news item (whether in a newspaper or any other medium) or to the publication in a newspaper of any article connected with any bona fide news item other than a news item in the furtherance of, or as advertisement for, any trade, business, calling or profession.
(3) Any permission given under subsection (1) of this section may be given subject to such conditions as the Executive Committee Member may deem fit.
(4) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable for a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five thousand shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Prohibition of registration of certain companies
7. Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no authority empowered or required by law to register any company, firm or other body of persons, or any trade mark or design, or grant a patent, shall—
(a) Register any company, firm or other body of persons under any name; or
(b) Register a trade mark or design which bears any emblem, name, word or likeness; or
(c) Grant a patent in respect of an invention which bears a title containing any emblem, name or word,
If the use of such name, emblem, word or likeness would be in contravention of section 5 of this Act, and any purported registration or grant made contrary to this section shall be absolutely void and ineffective for all purposes.

Prohibition of display of certain flags
8. (1) No person shall display at any place or on any premises any flag or banner or permit any flag or banner to be displayed, being in either case a flag or banner (other than a specified emblem) which is reputed to belong, or is held out by any authority as belonging, to the territory of Migori County or any particular part thereof.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment
(3) This section shall bind the Migori County Government

Sanction for prosecution
9. No prosecution for any offence punishable under this Act shall be instituted except with the previous sanctions in writing of the County legal officer.

Power of seizure
10. (1) If police Officer has reasonable cause to believe that something which has been used, displayed, manufactured or imported contrary to this Act is to be found on any premises, he may require the person in charge or appearing to be in charge of the premises to allow him to enter the premises and to afford him all reasonable facilities for a search thereof, and if entry cannot within a reasonable period be so obtained the officer may without warrant enter the premises (using force if necessary) and search therein.
(2) If a police officer finds on any premises anything in respect of which he has reasonable cause to believe that an offence under this Act has been committed by any person, he or she may seize that thing, and where he does so shall bring it before a magistrate, who shall order it to be forfeited id he or she is satisfied that it has been used, displayed, manufactured or imported contrary to this Act, or else shall order it to be restored to the person from whom it was seized.

Power to amend First Schedule
11. The Executive Committee Member may, by notice in the Gazette, amend the First Schedule to this Act.
Regulations
12. The Executive Committee member may make regulations-
( a) prescribing the occasions upon which, the persons by whom and manner in which the County Flag or the Armorial Ensigns may be flown or displayed, as the case may be;
(b) Prohibiting, controlling or restricting the use of any specified emblem, specified likeness or specified name;
(c) regulating the manner in which application may be made to him for his permission under section 3 of this Act, prescribing the form of any license by which such permission may be given and fixing any fee for such application and license;
(d) Generally for carrying this Act into effect

FIRST SCHEDULE

Part I - County Flag

Part II - County Logo


 

The bill continues with a description of the county seal.
Jaume Ollé, 22 Jan 2015