HomeJambo InfoKey security features of new Kenyan Bank notes

Key security features of new Kenyan Bank notes

The move by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to unveil new notes was met with strong opposing force despite the bank notes having security features that will make it easy for the visually impaired to use them with ease.

New Kenyan 50 shillings Bank note

The bone of contention is the presence of portrait of the first president of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. A section of the public has strongly challenged the existence of the portrait saying that its against the spirit of the constitution.

New Kenyan 100 shillings bank note

Key security features in new bank notes

These features on the note can be detected in three main ways; feeling it (running a finger through it), looking at it and by tilting the note.

New Kenya 200 shillings bank note
NOTEFeelLookTilt
50
  • Feel KENYA
  • Value (50)
  • 1 bar at the edge
images that symbolise green energy

 

  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • security thread that changes colour from red to green
  • When held in light the note reveals a watermark of a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote.

 

100
  • Feel KENYA
  • Value (100)
  • 2 bars at the edge
agriculture-related images
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • security thread that changes colour from red to green
  • When held in light the note reveals a watermark of a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote

 

200
  • Feel KENYA
  • Value (200)
  • 3 bars at the edge
bear images of social services
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • Additional rainbow colours on the thread
  • When held in light the note reveals a watermark of a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote
500
  • Feel KENYA
  • Value (500)
  • 4 bars at the edge
tourism images
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • Additional rainbow colours on the thread
  • When held in light the note reveals a watermark of a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote
1000
  • Feel KENYA
  • Value (1000)
  • 5 bars at the edge
displays governance images
  • The security thread also appears as a continuous line
  • security thread that changes colour from red to green
  • Additional rainbow colours on the thread
  • When held in light the note reveals a watermark of a perfect lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote

 

The governor of the Central Bank of Kenya issued a directive that all old Sh1,000 notes will cease to be legal tender from October 1, 2019.

New Kenyan 500 shillings note

Guidelines on how old 1000 notes will be returned to Bank

  • Persons exchanging currency notes for amounts not exceeding Ksh.1 million of the withdrawn currency notes will exchange at their Commercial banks, CBK Branches and Currency Centres, or any nearest commercial bank.
  • Bank customers exchanging currency notes for amounts Ksh.1 million to Ksh.5 million of the withdrawn currency notes will exchange at their respective commercial banks, under the normal procedures and requirements.
  • Persons without bank accounts exchanging currency notes for amounts exceeding Ksh.1 million will require an endorsement from CBK.
  • Persons exchanging currency notes for amounts exceeding Ksh.5 million (bulk exchange) will require an endorsement from CBK. These persons should get in touch using the contacts shown below.
New Kenyan1000 shillings note

CBK Contacts for enquiries

For further enquiries on this matter, members of the public are requested to contact CBK by telephone at +254 20 2861032 or +254 20 2863122 or email: newcurrency@centralbank.go.ke

Popular Posts