Circulation of the new generation coins begins today following the launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Central Bank of Kenya.
The new coins drop the portrait of former presidents
as dictated by the 2010 constitution and adopt photos of wildlife which represent Kenyan values, heritage and way of life.
Kenya’s new look coins also boast of features that make it easy for the visually impaired to identify the currency.
Speaking during the launch, CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge said that the monetary regulator has already gazzeted adoption of the new look currency as legal tender.
“CBK invited the public to provide their views on the elements that they desired on the coins. Having considered all submissions, CBK considered the most appropriate elements including the designs that best meet CBK’s technical requirements,serve the public aspirations and capture the spirit of the constitution,” said Governor Njoroge during the launch.
The launch comes after the Court of Appeal on October 12, 2018 cleared the path for the production of the currency following numerous court cases challenging the awarding of the tender to British firm De La Rue.
The Appellate Court overturned a High Court ruling by current Machakos Presiding judge Justice George Odunga that quashed awarding of the tender on grounds that it was awarded unprocedurally.
Today’s launch was attended by President Kenyatta in his first Visit to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) since he was elected in 2013 alongside CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
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