The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has warned the public against the misuse of Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes.
In a public notice shared on its official X account on Monday, the bank said it had observed “a growing trend in the use of Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes, including the preparation of cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements.”
The apex bank said such practices involve banknotes being “folded, rolled, glued, taped, stapled, pinned, or otherwise affixed using adhesives and fastening materials,” actions it noted damage the currency.
According to the CBK, the misuse “compromises the integrity of Kenya Shilling banknotes and renders them unsuitable for circulation.”
It added that the damage caused by adhesives, pins and staples “interferes with the efficient operation of cash handling and processing equipment, including automated teller machines, cash counting machines, and sorting equipment.”
The bank said this leads to “increased rejection of banknotes during processing” and results in “the premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, at an avoidable cost to the public and the Bank.”
While stating that it does not oppose the use of cash as gifts, the CBK stressed that “such use should not involve any action that alters, damages, or defaces banknotes.”
It reminded the public that “Section 367 of the Penal Code prohibits the defacement, mutilation, or impairment of currency notes,” adding that offenders “commit an offence under the Penal Code.”
The CBK urged the public to adopt “alternative, non-damaging methods when presenting monetary gifts” and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the national currency.
The move follows a similar stance earlier taken by Nigeria.
In June 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria condemned the widespread mutilation, spraying and defacing of naira notes, warning that offenders risk jail terms.
Assistant Director at the CBN Currency Operations Department, Aladeen Badejo, said at the time that “abuse of the currency attracts a penalty of not less than six months or a fine of not less than N50,000 or both.”
In 2023, CBN listed money bouquets as a form of naira abuse.
Alongside money bouquet, other forms of abuse listed by the CBN are spraying, selling, squeezing and defacing.
Urging citizens to report the abuse of the naira, the CBN captioned the post, “It is your civic duty to protect the naira. Report naira abuse today.”
