The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has warned Kenyans against the rising trend of using Kenyan shilling banknotes as decoration during celebrations, a practice that has gone viral on social media.
Many Kenyans have embraced cash bouquets, money garlands, and other ornamental displays for weddings, birthdays, graduations, and baby showers.
While the trend may seem creative or luxurious, CBK says it is harming the integrity of the national currency and creating hidden costs for the economy.
“The use of adhesives, pins, staples, and similar materials damages banknotes and interferes with the efficient operation of cash-handling and processing equipment, including ATMs, cash counting machines, and sorting machines,” the Bank said in a statement.
In a press statement issued on Monday, CBK explained that damaged notes are often rejected during processing, forcing banks and businesses to remove them prematurely and replace them.
This not only costs the Central Bank and the public money but also slows down daily cash operations for companies that rely heavily on cash transactions.
CBK noted that these disruptions ultimately make it harder for the currency to circulate efficiently and maintain its role as a medium of exchange.
“This results in increased rejection of banknotes during processing and leads to the premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, at an avoidable cost to the public and the Bank,” CBK added.
The Bank clarified that it is not against cash gifting but emphasised that monetary gifts should not involve any action that defaces or alters the notes.
Folding, stapling, pinning, or glueing banknotes not only damages them but also violates the law. Section 367 of the Penal Code prohibits the defacement, mutilation, or impairment of currency notes.
“Any person who willfully defaces, mutilates, or in any way impairs any currency note issued by lawful authority commits an offence under the Penal Code,” CBK warned, urging the public to adopt safer, non-damaging ways to present monetary gifts.
CBK said it will continue public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement to protect the quality, usability, and public confidence in the Kenya Shilling banknotes.
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