This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, police in Machakos County arrested three suspects, including a Kenyan and two foreigners, for being in possession of fake Sh1,000 new banknotes.
The suspects, identified as 41-year-old Ogundeji Abiodun (Nigerian), Tazisong Fabian (Congolese), 41, and Elizabeth Mueni, 50, were circulating the fake notes in Kakumini village.
Police recovered chemicals used to make the fake notes from the suspects' house, sparking concerns about the location chosen by the group.
This incident comes just days after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) unveiled the new banknotes in June 2019.
CBK had announced the withdrawal of old Sh1,000 notes to crack down on embezzlement and tackle a wave of counterfeit and money laundering.