Kenyans Given Until October 1st to Exchange Old Sh1,000 Notes as CBK Unveils New-Look Currency

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has launched the new generation Kenyan currency notes.

The new banknotes were unveiled during the Madaraka Day Celebrations at Narok Stadium on Saturday. The ceremony was officiated by President Kenyatta.

CBK Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge said the new notes have a unique theme and features, including the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

They also feature the big five wildlife animals and will be easy to use to the visually impaired. A dove is also shown to symbolize a peaceful Kenya.

Speaking during the launch, Njoroge said old Sh1000 notes will cease to be legal tender as from October 1st, 2019.

Njoroge further asserted that the unveiling of the new notes is intended to curb fraud.

“All the older Ksh.1000 series shall be withdrawn. All persons have until October 1, 2019, to exchange these notes, after which the older ones will cease to be legal tender,” said Njoroge.

Kenyans have been urged to hold up the new notes to the light and look for a watermark of a lion's head from both sides to determine their authenticity.

“If you tilt the angle, you will see the security thread changes color from red to green on all bank notes. The 200, 500 and 1000 bank notes have additional rainbow colors on the thread," CBK said.

In November last year, President Uhuru launched new-look currency coins that conform with the 2010 constitutional requirements.

The new coins, which came in units of one shilling, five shillings, 10 shillings and 20 shillings, contain special features that make them accessible to people with visual challenges including the blind.

The new coins bear the image of giraffe (Sh1), rhino (Sh5), lion (Sh10) while the 20 shilling coin has the image of an elephant. Sh1 is silver in color and weighs 5.5g, while Sh5, Sh10, and Sh20 weigh 3.75g, 5g, and 9g respectively.

The new notes and coins contain symbols as opposed to portraits of persons as required by the 2010 constitution.