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CBK warns against cash bouquets ahead of Valentine’s Day
A number of Sh50 notes used to create money bouquet and red Roses pictured at Jo’s Florist Studio, located at Olympic House in Nairobi, on January 29, 2025.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has warned against the misuse of Kenya shilling banknotes, citing a growing trend in which currency is being used for decorative and celebratory purposes that damage notes and disrupt cash circulation.
In a notice issued on Monday, the CBK said it has observed increased use of banknotes in cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays and similar items, practices that involve folding, rolling, glueing, or pinning currency.
According to the apex bank, such handling compromises the physical integrity of banknotes, rendering them unsuitable for circulation and increasing the rate at which currency must be withdrawn and replaced.
“The use of adhesives, pins, staples, and similar materials damages banknotes and interferes with the efficient operation of cash-handling and processing equipment, including automated teller machines (ATMs), cash counting machines, and sorting equipment,” wrote the CBK in the notice.
“This results in increased rejection of banknotes during processing and leads to premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, at an avoidable cost to the public and the Bank.”
Section 367 of the Penal Code prohibits the defacement and mutilation of banknotes, with any person who willfully impairs any currency note issued by the CBK deemed to have committed an offence under the law.
The law provides for a jail term of three months or a fine of Sh2,000 or both for offenders.
The notice is part of wider efforts by the CBK to safeguard the integrity of currency in circulation and manage the cost of currency issuance and replacement.
Damaged notes typically have a shorter lifespan, increasing printing, logistics and processing costs of the currency replacement that are ultimately borne by taxpayers.
Kenya’s cash ecosystem relies heavily on automated systems across commercial banks, retailers, and service providers, making the physical condition of banknotes critical to smooth circulation.
Latest data shows that as at the close of last September, hard cash circulating outside the banking system stood at Sh292.5 billion, having risen marginally from Sh291.5 billion in the preceding month.
CBK’s caution comes less than a fortnight ahead of Valentine’s Day, with the trend of cash bouquets having gathered momentum during the love day celebrations in recent years.
Valentine’s Day has increasingly become associated with creative and extravagant gift-giving in Kenya, with cash bouquets emerging as a popular alternative to traditional flowers or chocolates.
These bouquets often feature banknotes arranged to resemble flowers or other decorative shapes, sometimes accompanied by ribbons, cards, and other embellishments.
Florists, gift shops, and online vendors who offer cash bouquets are among those driving the trend, often oblivious of the regulatory and financial implications of using currency as decorative material.
The trend has grown alongside social media displays, with recipients posting photos of elaborate cash arrangements, further popularising the practice and increasing the demand for such gifts during celebrations.
