CBK makes changes to Kenyan notes

By Peter Ochieng

Kenyan current notes are undergoing significant changes.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in a statement indicated that the changes will eventually affect the Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, Sh500 and Sh1000 notes.

According to CBK, the changed notes will circulate alongside the old ones.

The new notes bears the signature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Dr. Kamau Thugge, the signature of the Principal Secretary, National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, the year of print which is 2024 and new security threads with colour changing effects that are specific to each denomination.

The rest of the features, CBK stated, remain the same as those of the series issued in 2019.

"All banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the released banknotes," added the statement.

Release of the new currency notes will begin with Sh1000 - the highest denomination in the country, before the Sh500, Sh200, Sh100 and Sh100 follow suit.

The new version of the currency notes will have a distinct feel as you run your fingers over the note.

"The words Kenya, 1,000 value and the edge will be well defined as one can feel its texture. Also, when you hold up the currency note to the light you will see the watermark of the lion's head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote," added CBK.

The changes are in line with Section 22 of the Central Bank of Kenya Act.

It states that the denominations, inscriptions, forms, material and other characteristics of the notes and coins issued by the Bank shall be determined by the Bank in consultation with the Minister, and shall be notified in the Gazette and in other media of public information likely to bring them to the attention of the public.

Kenya's notes were last changed in 2019, when retired president Uhuru Kenyatta's administration replaced the currency with new generation of banknotes.