The newly launched currency could yet again invoke a possible legal battle, even as Central Bank of Kenya boss Patrick Njoroge maintained that all regulations were followed.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo on Saturday questioned the image of Founding Father Jomo Kenyatta in some of the notes, arguing that it is inconsistent with the constitution.
"Have Seen The New Notes Unveiled. I’m personally persuaded they’re contrary to A. 231(4) of the Constitution, to the extent that they bear the image & potrait Of The founding President. Are we short of Images that depict Kenya? Thumbs down on this!" he wrote.
But city lawyer Donald Kipkorir has dismissed the claims, arguing that the image in some of the notes is a statue, adding that there is nothing wrong having it.
"CBK release of the new Currency Notes with the picture below is generating debate on whether it violates the Constitution that bars use of images of individuals ... My own reading of Jurisprudence to Philosophy to Biology convinces me that a Statue isn’t Individual but Inanimate," he tweeted.
President Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in unveiling of the new notes in Narok, a move which is believed to be another inventory in the ongoing graft purge.
However, CBK boss Patrick Njoroge said that the decision is meant to weed out publishing of fake currency. All ShSh1,000 will be illegal after October 1st this year.
“To deal conclusively with these concerns, the older Sh1,000 series shall be withdrawn. By a Gazette Notice dated May 31, 2019, all persons have until October 1, 2019, to exchange those notes, after which the older Sh1,000 will cease to be legal tender," he said as quoted by the Nation.