The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced a significant update regarding the country’s banknotes. Governor Kamau Thugge revealed that a new series of banknotes will be printed by a German firm, following the exit of De La Rue from Kenya last year. This move aims to replace aging denominations and introduce updated security features.
The immediate focus will be on the Sh1,000 notes, which are set to be phased out first due to anticipated stock shortages between July and August. Governor Thugge emphasized the necessity of this replacement to ensure a smooth currency transition and maintain the integrity of Kenya’s monetary system.
The new banknotes will feature updated security threads, including a continuous line that changes color when tilted, and a golden band visible under ultra-violet light indicating the note’s value. Each denomination, including Sh500, Sh200, Sh100, and Sh50, will carry these new security enhancements.
These new notes will bear the signatures of CBK Governor Kamau Thugge and National Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo, along with a 2024 symbol to denote their release year. While the updated features will provide enhanced security, other aspects of the banknotes will remain consistent with those issued in 2019.
The CBK reassured the public that all existing banknotes will continue to be legal tender and will circulate alongside the new series. The release of the new Sh1,000 banknotes will commence soon, with other denominations following progressively in the coming months.
This initiative reflects the CBK’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Kenya’s currency and ensuring its resilience against counterfeiting.
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