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THE KENYA NAVY ENSIGN

The White Ensign of the Kenya Navy evolved from the White Ensign of the Royal Navy . After the crusades, the Red Cross of Saint George was accepted as the Emblem of the Royal Navy . However, the background colour varied till about the 17 Century when three colours - white, red and blue - were adopted for the Ensign and represented different sections of the fleet.

The White Admiral commanded the Squadron in the Van and had a White Ensign ; the Red Admiral commanded the Middle with a Red Ensign and the Rear became the Blue Admiral ' s position with a Blue Ensign . The order of seniority was red , blue and white .

But during the Battle of Trafalgar , Admiral Nelson ordered the entire British Fleet to hoist the White Ensign to avert any confusion. It was only in 1864 that the Royal Navy adopted the White Ensign as its colours while the Red Ensign became the colours of the Merchant Navy . The priviledge of wearing a Blue Ensign was guaranteed to Naval Auxilliaries as well as Merchant Vessels having a percentage of ex-naval personnel in their crew or those on charter to the Royal Navy .

This tradition continues even today. On attaining independence , the White Ensign of the Kenya Navy was modified to suit the aspirations of the young nation of Kenya .

Traditionally, the Navy has always paid great respect to the flag, and many of the Service's most sacred ceremonies are centered on the hoisting and lowering of colours. Starting with the familiar colours ceremony that all units observe every morning and evening, these rituals serve to inculcate and strengthen a sense of patriotism in all the participants.The importance of these ceremonies must never be underestimated. Men and women have died for their flag; it is a symbol of the Navy and all that it represents.

National Flag

Presidential colour

Commander's Flag

Kenya Navy Crest

THE KENYA NAVY OFFICERS

In the Kenya Navy the word Officer encompasses all personnel belonging to the Officer Cadre, a status which entitles them to command men / women and singles them out as foremost trusted representatives of the state. Traditionally officers from the Executive Branch ( Seamen/women ) are privileged to command ships.

An officer of the Kenya Navy is required to live by strong and rigid codes which govern their conduct at all times. His / her integrity should be above doubt and is not expected to accept any favours, services and unusual entertainment in the performance of his/ her duties.

The life of a Navy Officer actually begins on board a training ship. After leaving the Armed Forces Training College ( AFTC ) and integration into the Naval Training School ( NTS ) , all become equal in their status. Unlike the Kenya Army or the Air Force , Basic Training brings Naval Cadets shoulder to shoulder with the men and women they are going to command in future. The intention is to bring up officers and gentlemen, who should be, able seamen / women, adept at managing a ship or a battle at sea, possess discretion and courage and equate conveniently with men / women they lead.

Therefore a Navy Officer has “ …a liberal education, refined manners punctilious courtesy and the nicest sense of personal honour …”

MIDSHIPMAN

From a historical perspective, Midshipmen were originally men / boys stationed amidships in the days of sail to carry messages, bring up ammunition, or relay messages from the poop to the gun decks. One of the best known officer midshipman was Hortio Nelson, who enrolled at the tender age of twelve-and-a half years on board HMS Raisonnable in 1771.

It was only in 1815 that Midshipman became a rank in the British Navy. But their duties remained varied. A story is told that due to a mix-up in salute between a British Captain and an American Rear Admiral, the senior ordered his midshipman to go on board the British ship and “ make the British Captain feel sorry for his mistakes ”. Small wonder that it took courage, quick wit, and above all a youthful spirit to perform duties of a midshipman effectively. In fact, it has now become a common belief that the most thrilling and amusing events in an officer's career occur during his days as a midshipman.

The life of a Midshipman in the Kenya Navy today is very different from the old days. On his way to become a fully-fledged Officer of the Navy, he is expected to develop his professional knowledge during training while exercising his wits whenever an opportunity arises. Much of his lessons should come from observations and evolutions in considerable detail and at least, he / she has the liberty to make mistakes without having to pay for them.

THE KENYA NAVY OFFICERS' BADGES

SECOND LIEUTENANT (MIDSHIPMAN)

As the name suggests, 2nd Lieutenant are Assistants to Lieutenants and are expected to carry out all the duties of Lieutenant in his absence. Kenya Navy Officers start their Commissioning as Acting Second Lieutenants , a rank in which they receive a Commission from the Head of State by virtue of which they get recognized as Gazetted Officers .

LIEUTENANT (SUB-LIEUTENANT)

This rank was introduced in the British Navy in 1580 to provide the Captain of warship with an assistant. The word lieutenant is of French origin and means holding in lieu of , or one who replaces .

CAPTAIN (FIRST LIEUTENANT)

The senior Lieutenant on board was automatically the second-in-command, and was known as the First Lieutenant . Lieutenants are the lowest rank of the command structure aboard ships with numerous duties to perform. They are expected to advice the Commanding Officer in various situations in the specialists' areas.

They are expected to be knowledgeable and must know everything about their particular specialization to be able to carry out assigned duties effectively.

MAJOR (LIEUTENANT COMMANDER)

This rank was first introduced in the United States Navy in 1862 and in the Royal Navy almost 30 years later. In the Kenya Navy promotion up to this rank is based on a time scale and an Officer has to undergo a selection process coupled with passing entry examinations.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL (COMMANDER)

These are lower grades of Colonels ( Captains ) who are not yet eligible for promotion to the rank of Rear Admirals were called Master and Commander and they commanded small ships. In the Kenya Navy Rank Structure , the rank of Commander is equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel . This title was abridged to Commander in 1794 and it was only in 1827 when the British appointed officers of this rank as Second in Command of ships that the rank was changed to Commander.

Aiguillettes

COLONEL (CAPTAIN)

In the Royal Navy ( RN ) and Indian Navy this rank is equivalent to Colonel in the Kenya Navy. In 1747, the rank of Captain was clearly defined in the British Navy and equated to that of Colonel in the Army, a precedent which Kenya Navy inherited and practices even today.

The fact that the Captain must always be conscious of the immense responsibility he bears has led to the custom of the Colonel being the last to abandon a ship. Captains are leaders of all on board their ships. Interestingly, till 1862, Captain was the highest commissioned rank in the United States Navy. In the Kenya Navy, duties of a Colonel are numerous. On board, his authority is supreme and unquestionable as long as he is on board he is entrusted with the safety of the ship and all its men / women.

BRIGADIER (COMMODORE)

After having served as Colonel ( Captain ) an officer in the Kenya Navy is constituted a Brigadier ( Commodore ) . The title Commodore originated from Holland during the Dutch wars of 1652. The Dutch had shortage of Admirals and wished to create a group of officers who would perform the duties of this rank without attracting pay. This is why Commodores (Brigadiers) are entitled to paste Pedant, which differs from the flag flown by Admirals (Generals ) .

GENERAL (ADMIRAL)

After many distinguished years of service, the Naval Officer approaches the pinnacle of his career when he is promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and given his “ double Brass ” . In the Kenya Navy this rank is recognized as Major General . It is obvious that every Naval Officer cannot rise to flag rank. In the Kenya Navy, like its sister services, exceptionally few progress to the highest ranks. What remains common to all officers, however, is the satisfaction of having lived an exciting life full of adventure in one of the most demanding professions of the world. In the exacting environment of life Afloat, an individual is remembered not by his rank but for his achievements and the value he passes on to his subordinates and the Service.

Rear Admiral/Major General

In the history of the Navy today the following officers have excelled to serve in the rank of a Major General: Major General (Rtd) E S Mbilu , General (Rtd) J R E Kibwana (former CGS ) , Major General (Rtd) A A Rafrouf ,Major General P O Awitta and Maj General Samson J. Mwathethe(the current Nany Commander) . Others are Major General (Rtd) BOC Onyango , Major General (Rtd) S Suero , Major General (Rtd) S Farah , and Major General A Rob ( currently attached to NDC ) .

Vice Admiral / LieutenantGeneral

Admiral/General

THE KENYA NAVY TRADE BADGES

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