Features of New Currency Notes Released by Central Bank of Kenya

The Central Bank of Kenya has released an updated series of banknotes starting with the Ksh1,000 denomination.  According to CBK, the banknote is similar to the previous series and will circulate alongside those previously issued.

Changes made on the banknote include New Signatures for the Governor, Mr Kamau Thugge, and Member (in this case Principal Secretary, National Treasury, Dr Chris Kiptoo), Year of Print Specified as 2024 and Security Thread.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) had on 6^th August 6, 2024, announced the changes made in the denominations of Kenyan currency banknotes as follows:

1. The signature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Dr Kamau Thugge,
2. The signature of the Principal Secretary, National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo,
3. The year of print – 2024, and
4. New security threads with colour changing effects that are specific to each denomination.

The CBK said the release of the banknotes had commenced with that of Ksh1,000. “We wish to update the public that the release of KES50, KES100, KES200 and KES500 denominations is now in progress,” CBK said in a statement.

Other than the changes highlighted above, all other features of the banknotes remain the same as those of the series issued in 2019. It clarified that other banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will continue to circulate alongside the released banknotes.

Features of the new Sh1,000 note

• Hold up to the light and from both sides you will see: The watermark shows a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote. The security thread appears as a continuous line.
• If you tilt at an angle you will see: The security thread changes colour when tilted. The golden band shows the value of the banknote and is visible under Ultraviolet (UV) light.

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