CBK to start rolling out new currency notes with updated features
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The contract for the printing was awarded to the German firm Giesecke+Devrient, chosen for its industry reputation and quality.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the release of newly designed currency notes.
These updated banknotes, which include denominations of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, Sh500, and Sh1,000, are part of CBK's ongoing efforts to modernise the country's currency.
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In a press statement on Wednesday, CBK confirmed the rollout of the new features, which began in August with the Sh1,000 note, has now been extended to all other denominations.
"We wish to update the public that the release of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, and Sh500 denominations is now in progress," CBK stated.
The redesigned notes feature several updates, including the signatures of CBK Governor Kamau Thugge and the Principal Secretary of the National Treasury Chris Kiptoo.
This marks a departure from the older series, which did not include the PS’s signature.
The new banknotes also boast enhanced security threads with colour-changing effects specific to each denomination, improving their security and design.
The CBK reassured the public that older banknotes will remain in circulation alongside the new ones.
"We also would like to draw the public's attention that all other banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will continue to circulate alongside the released banknotes," the statement said.
While most features of the banknotes remain unchanged from the 2019 series, the updates reflect a transition in leadership following the retirement of former CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge in June last year.
In August, CBK Governor Kamau Thugge disclosed during a session with the Finance Committee in Parliament that the cost of printing the new currency would be Sh14.2 billion.
The contract for the printing was awarded to the German firm Giesecke+Devrient, chosen for its industry reputation and quality.
Thugge noted that the new notes are of superior quality compared to the previous series.
The older notes will remain in circulation until they wear out and are gradually replaced.
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