This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Published on October 4, 2019, a group of over 2,000 pastoralists who had migrated to remote areas of Tana River and Lamu counties have returned home, but with a problem - they are in possession of Sh1,000 notes that are no longer legal tender.
According to the herders, they were unaware of the currency swap that took place on September 30, 2019, and were unable to return home in time to exchange their old notes.
"We tried paying for food in a hotel in Minjila, only to be told the money was not valid. It nearly ended in a confrontation with the hotel owner, but someone who understood where we had come from later explained to us what was going on," noted Mohammed Barisa, a herder.
The herders are now appealing to the Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge to open a short window for them to swap their old notes.
"We are in various groups from different areas. Our groups have leaders who can confirm who is from where so that everything will be very transparent to save us from this loss we are facing," pleaded Ishmael Barako, a herder.
