This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On August 16, 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) kicked off a consumer-awareness campaign to help the public distinguish between genuine and fake new currency notes.
The move comes in the wake of rapid duplication of new currency notes by counterfeiting rings and money laundering gangs, which has left many unsuspecting Kenyans as victims.
CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge urged Kenyans to be cautious of fake notes by observing and learning the newly issued currency.
“Kenyans need to know how to tell from the fake notes and there are many features that can help them know,” he said.
“Even mama mbogas who trade in the night, there are features that will enable them to know the difference,” Governor Njoroge added.
The modern notes bear over 20 distinct features and characteristics, making them virtually impossible to fake.
Among the notable features include the notes' distinct colors for each denomination and touch-bars on the side, which enable the visually-impaired to identify each currency note.
The government, through its reserve bank, implemented the changeover to new currency notes in line with the promulgation of the 2010 constitution, beginning June 1, 2019.
While the old-series denominations; Ksh.50, Ksh.100, Ksh.200, and the Ksh.500 will remain in circulation, the old and larger Ksh.1000 note will cease to be legal tender starting on October 1.
