The coat of arms of Kenya was granted on the 15th of October 1963.

The coat of arms features two lions, a symbol of protection, holding spears and a traditional East African shield. The shield and spears symbolize unity and defence of freedom.

The shield contains the national colours, representing:
• Black for the people of Kenya
• Green for the agriculture and natural resources
• Red for the struggle for freedom
• White for unity and peace.

The middle red strip bears a cockerel holding an axe. According to the African tradition, the rooster is the only domestic fowl that announces the dawn of a new day. That's why they keep them. At the rooster's crow, all awake and head for work at the early dawn. The rooster is also one of the few animals that seldom moves backwards.

The rooster holding an axe while moving forward portrays authority, the will to work, success, and the break of a new dawn. It is also the symbol of Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) party that led the country to independence.

The shield and lions stand on a silhouette of Mount Kenya containing in the foreground examples of Kenya agricultural produce - coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize and pineapples.

The scroll containing the National Motto "Harambee". In Swahili Harambee means "pulling together" or "all for one". It is the cry of the fishermen as they draw their nets towards the shore. The same word is echoed by everyone when a collective effort is made for the common good, such as helping a family in need, or the construction of a school or a church.