This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
The Central Bank of Kenya had set a deadline for Kenyans to exchange old Sh1,000 banknotes for new currency by September 30, 2019.
However, 60-year-old Julius Mboga from Sirondho village in Gem, Siaya County, missed the deadline and is now stuck with Sh500,000 worth of old notes.
Mboga, a retired mechanic from Brook Bond Kenya Limited in Limuru, received Sh1.5 million in retirement dues in January 2019.
According to his brother Joseph Ouko, Mboga's mental health may have been affected by a motorcycle accident, leading to confusion about the deadline.
"He received money from his employer as a retirement package. He had initially banked it but one day woke up and started withdrawing his money from the bank," Ouko said.
When Standard Digital visited Mboga's home in Gem, he was said to have traveled to Kisumu, and he does not have a mobile phone, according to his relatives.
Mr Ouko noted that his brother has children in secondary school and a wife who depend on him, and he is appealing for help on how he can exchange the notes.
According to his brother, Mbogo has been keeping poultry in small scale which he uses to take care of his family's needs.
Mr Ouko added that at some point the family opted to keep off so that it is not seen as if they are only interested in his money.
According to Mbogo's brother, he withdrew Sh200,000 from his account at Equity Bank in Siaya on June 14, 2019, before returning to collect another Sh300,000 on July 16.
