DAILY NATION
Thursday June 25, 2008 Advertising FeAture III
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
STAT E L AW OF F ICE
COATS OF A R M S
By JOSEPH KAMENJU
T
he company Logo or Trademark is an the shield is placed a knight’s helmet. This is The shield (Coat) alone without the other
indispensable part of today’s com- because the University of Nairobi started as a elements is usually displayed much more
mercial culture. Many people are able constituent College of the University of Lon- profusely and extravagantly on normal let-
to identify with products or goods through don thus the hint at a European ancestry. terheads, uniforms, cups, graduation ties and
their Logos. They are marks of identity and The three lamps obviously hint at the three shirts etc etc. In the case of the University of
authenticity and are usually what counter- levels of enlightenment - one lamp for the Nairobi this shield alone is what is referred to
feiters attack first in their attempt at passing Bachelors degree, two lamps for the Masters as its badge and was granted as a separate
off their fake goods. The correct use of Logos and three for the Doctorate degrees. It is like item by Garter Clarenceux and Norrow King
and Trademarks and their protection there- the University of Nairobi’s mission is to train of Arms in London on January 1954 and regis-
fore enables us to identify and also assures us warriors in three orders who bring light into tered in Kenya by the College of Arms in May
of the genuineness of products. That is why the world. 1976.
they are protected by law. On top of the helmet are three hands To date, the University of Nairobi stands
clasped in a unity of purpose; one white, one unique in Kenya as having registered both
yellow and one black, signifying a multi-racial a Badge and a Full Achievement of Arms as
approach and the universality of its intents. separate items.
The word university is actually derived from Besides institutions and governments, Roy- Mediaeval scene of warring Knights in
the same root as the word “universal”. al families and knighted individuals bear per- Coats of Arms
The theme of unity is further elaborated in sonal and family Coats of Arms. For instance,
the University’s motto below the shield, Unite Sir Paul McCartney KE, MBE, a former mem- Large varieties of colour and easily recogniz-
et Labore, Latin for United in Work or labor, ber of the famous British rock group, The able symbols and designs were required to
the labor being as in “laboratory, room or Beatles, when knighted by the Queen in 2001 distinguish not only friend from foe but also
building fitted with equipment for scientific had his Coat of Arms designed. to recognize their own men in battle. These
experimentation”. The motto would rightly symbols were painted on the Knights, ban-
translate, “United in Research” ners and shields and also worked onto the
light-coloured coats worn over the knight’s
On the left and right side are respectively
armor which protected the wearer and horse
a crested crane and a giraffe, the crane rep-
from the elements, hence the “Coat of Arms”
resenting Uganda and the giraffe represent- The designs of the Arms evolved during the
ing Tanzania. The Lion representing Kenya is Middle Ages before most men and women
Examples of Logos and Trademarks within the shield as the University of Nairobi could read or write. It developed into a sci-
is in Kenya. The crane and giraffe are retained ence called heraldry with exact rules and laws
as reminders of when University of Nairobi governing the representation, design and use
Coats of Arms unlike Logos and Trademarks
was part of the University of East Africa. of arms. In time the Kings appointed what
are more sophisticated symbols of identity
Hanging on the necks of the giraffe and were called Heralds to manage the records of
that are used mainly by central and local Gov- design ownership.
ernments, unions, distinguished families, ed- crane, is a gold chain with a badge bearing
Since in most cases Arms were hereditary
ucational, civic and ecclesiastical institutions. a pair of calipers, symbols of engineering,
from father to son, all over Europe Kings and
Associated closely with flags, badges and measurement and exactitude, all ideals of gentry fell in love with heraldry’s symbolic
mottos and other instruments of power like proper experimentation and research. methods of representation of identity and
maces and charters, the Coat of Arms con- The entire graphic design is referred to as a appropriated this science making it a cen-
stitute the highest statement in graphic form Full Achievement of Arms and is the one reg- tral part of recording genealogies in families
istered and granted by the College of Arms. It and especially royalty. In England the “King
of an organization’s mission and aspirations
is displayed in full color usually on authentic of Arms” appointed by the King became the
and is displayed prominently in the organiza-
goatskin parchment paper. Exact copies of chief herald under an established College of
tion’s premises, correspondence, certificates, Arms. The Kenyan College of Arms pretty
the full achievement are usually found only Sir Paul McCartney KE, MBE
uniforms, etc. much inherited the practices and methods of
If we unpack carefully the Coat of Arms of on very high profile documents like degree
the College of Arms in London.
certificates and top brass stationery. One can see clearly that the inspiration, a
the University of Nairobi as an example, we Heraldry’s awesome visual power of colour
guitar, and the back of a beetle for the shield and imagery had a strong attraction not just
are able to uncover the history, the aspira-
produced a striking design. The back of the to ruling families but to militaries, and later to
tions and many other things which the Uni-
beetle was divided into four to represent civic and ecclesiastical bodies.
versity of Nairobi is about.
the four members of the Beatles and circles What has now become a standard format
representing the vinyl discs of that time. His all over the world for the design of Coats of
motto, “Ecce cor Meum” in Latin is “Behold Arms is shown below although slight varia-
my Heart” which was the title of a song he tions in the shape of the shield, etc. are ac-
wrote during his wife’s Linda’s illness. cepted.
The principle element or Coat of Arms is
In Kenya the College of Arms Act CAP 98
the shield whose divisions and blazoning fol-
makes it possible for any individual resident low a strict set of scientific rules. Other parts
in Kenya or abroad to register individual Arms that are attached to the shield in order to ar-
with it. All they require is that the design be rive at the full achievement of arms may or
up to a particular standard although not nec- may not be incorporated.
essarily as sophisticated as those of Sir Paul
McCartney or the University of Nairobi. All
The Coat of Arms of the
that is required is an original design and the
University of Nairobi
payment of the requisite fees.
The use of Coats of Arms originated from
Starting with the Coat or shield, which is the
mediaeval Europe in the age of chivalry
central and main part of what is properly
around the 12th and 13th centuries A.D. with-
called “Arms”, we note that the shield is not
in the military crusades. Fighting men were
in the shape of an African shield but more like
Executed and Framed Grant of Arms “in arms” covered from head to foot within
a mediaeval European knight’s shield. Above
armor. Coat of Arms of Kwazulu Natal – South Africa

II Advertising FeAture DAILY NATION
Thursday June 25, 2008
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
STAT E L AW OF F ICE
T H E COL L EG E OF A R MS
Official Function for the Award of Grants of Arms
26TH JUNE 2009
Message from Message from the Solicitor-General
the Hon Attorney-General On behalf of the State Law Office
I congratulate the College of Arms
for the award of Grant of Arms
where the Honorable Attorney Gen-
Grants registered and granted un- on this landmark occasion of the eral will award fifteen 18 (Eighteen)
der the provisions of the Act. As a Award of Grants of Arms ceremo- Grants of Arms. Lack of awareness
result there has been developing ny. continues to hinder the develop-
within the framework of the Act, an I particularly commend the Col- ment of heraldic art in Kenya. To
interestingly and distinctly Kenyan lege for its endeavor to sensitize make the field of heraldry grow we
branch of Heraldry with designs the public on Coat of Arms and need to address several issues such
that are Kenyan in flavor whilst not their registration. as creating awareness and develop-
radically departing from the ac- I note with appreciation the ing experts in the art of heraldry.
cepted rules of Heraldry. achievements of the College. These I wish to give my undertaking to
For the first time in its history, the achievements are attributed to the continue supporting the College to
College has resolved to design its unwavering support of the Kenya enable them adhere to their core
own Coat of Arms. The College is Government through the State Law Mr. Wanjuki Muchemi, CBS, mandate as well as achieve the
also in the process of digitizing the Office and the various stake hold- FCIArb, CPS (K) targets set out in our performance
register of Grants of Arms. In ad- ers who include Local Government, Solicitor- General contract and strategic plan.
dition, plans are underway to cre- State Corporations, and academic I once again commend the effort
ties in heraldry to lack of expertise
ate a website for all Grants of Arms institutions among others. and team work that has gone into
therein, the College of Arms can
awarded and registered in Kenya Despite the challenges ranging making the occasion a success.
Hon. S. Amos Wako, EGH still boast of great achievement.
like other Colleges of Arms world- from complexities and technicali- Well done.
FCIArb, MP. SC Key among them is the ceremony
Attorney General wide.
(Chairman, College Of Arms) Since its inception the College Message From the Registrar General
has awarded and registered a to- The College of Arms is the body is done by skilled artists whose fees
On behalf of the College of Arms, tal of seventy seven (77) local and mandated to approve Coat of Arms vary depending on the complexity
I am delighted to preside over the foreign Grants. Upon awarding and award Grant of Arms in Kenya. of the work involved.
ceremony of the award of Grants 18(Eighteen) Grants tomorrow, the It is established under Section 3 of After engrossment the Grant is
of Arms. Prior to independence, total number of Grants awarded the College of Arms Act (Cap 98). then executed by the Chairman
Grants of Arms to persons or cor- and registered will be Ninety Five Its membership comprises the Hon. and two Members of the College.
porations were made by the King (95). Attorney General as the Chairman, It is then sealed with the College of
of Arms in the United Kingdom. The College continues to receive and four members appointed by Arms seal. Thereafter it is photo-
After independence this became enquiries and applications from him. The Hon. Attorney General ap- graphed for our records, framed and
both costly and inappropriate. both local and foreign individuals points members of the College from then delivered to the Grantee. It can
Subsequently the College of Arms and institutions on the procedure different institutions upon recom- then be displayed in the Grantee’s
Act (Cap. 98) was enacted in 1968. of registering Grants of Arms. mendations of the secretariat. home, office, or Council Chambers.
Under the Act the Kenya College Tomorrow’s award ceremony is a The College of Arms Act is admin- Mrs. Bernice Wanjiku Gachegu The applicant is also issued with a
of Arms was established, compris- milestone achievement of the Ken- istered by the Coat of Arms Section; Registrar General Certificate of Registration.
ing of Attorney-General as the ya College of Arms and is aimed at a section within my Department foreign registration is Kshs 5000/=. Since its inception the College of
Chair, and four members who are sensitizing the public on the ben- also known as the Secretariat. The In case of a new Grant, an applica- Arms has been faced with many
empowered to register all existing efits of registering Coat of Arms. members of the college meet as tion is made to the College to ap- challenges which include the com-
Arms and award Grant of Arms. In conclusion I am appealing to and when they are called upon by prove the design if one has already plexities and lack of expertise in the
A person, institution or other the public to begin to see the im- the secretariat. been prepared. If no design has field of heraldry. The death of three
body in Kenya may now obtain a portance Coat of Arms have in our The current College was reconsti- been prepared the college can help experts namely Commissioner J.F.H
Grant of Arms locally and those modern society and to take ad- tuted in January 2007, vide Kenya in finding an Artist who can design Hamilton, Kenneth Mason and Pro-
who already possess such a Grant vantage of the College of Arms to Gazette Notice No. 757 of 2nd Feb- one. fessor K.F. Msangi were also a ma-
issued outside Kenya may also have protect their symbols of identifica- ruary 2007, and has made great After the Coat of Arms has been jor drawback to the College.
it registered locally. The advantage tion as depicted on school badges, strides in streamlining and simpli- approved a Blazon (technical heral- I am happy to state that, in spite
in both cases is that apart from uniforms, letter heads, seals and fying operations of the College. dic description) is prepared. Here of the above hurdles the present
providing a comprehensive register other items f rom plagiarism and The procedure for obtaining a again, a specialist is employed who College has executed a total of
of all Arms in use in the Republic, imitation. Grant of Arms, or, where a Grant charges a modest fee. Thereafter Eighteen Grants of Arms since it
it also protects the owner of Arms I particularly urge local authori- of Arms has already been made, for the words of the Grant are inscribed was reconstituted in 2007. This is a
against copying or other misuse. ties, academic and health institu- its registration, is quite simple and and the Arms themselves painted great achievement for the College.
The Act makes it an offence for a tions to take advantage of the new the fee charged is reasonable. Reg- on vellum parchment. This process The Grants of Arms will be award-
person other than the Grantee to initiatives by the College in having istration fees for local applications is referred to as engrossment. This ed to the Grantees at a ceremony to
use Arms which have been regis- their Coat of Arms registered. is Kshs 10,000/= whereas that for be presided over by the Hon. Attor-
tered with the College.
ney General tomorrow, 26th, June
Registration under the Act is MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE OF ARMS 2009. It is my humble appeal to all
purely voluntary but the advantag-
applicants whose Coats of Arms
es are obvious. Without registration
have been approved to contact the
the Grant can, of course, be copied
Secretariat for advice on finalizing
or made use of by other persons.
the Grants.
The Act provides for legal protec-
I therefore urge all stakeholders
tion and redress in the event of in-
to come out in large numbers and
fringement of a registered Grant of
have their Coat of Arms registered.
Arms.
I believe this will go a long way in
To date many civic, county, ec-
developing the art of heraldry and
clesiastic councils and institutions
Dr. Margaret Matanda Lt Col. Sammy Wachira Mr. Isaiah Nondoh Mr. Joseph Kamenju equipping the personnel with better
such as academic, health, and state
Kenyatta University Dpt. Of Defence Migori Teacher’s College University of Nairobi skills to deal with the technicalities
corporations etc., have had their
DPt of Fine Art Dpt. of Architecture involved.