The newly launched notes by Central Bank of Kenya are unconstitutional and could attract another legal battle in court, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has said.
CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge unveiled the new notes with President Uhuru Kenyatta in Narok on Saturday. He also gave a directive that the current Sh1,000 notes will cease to be used from October this year.
But in a tweet, Mr Amollo, who is also a constitutional lawyer and among those who drafted the current constitution, said the new notes do not meet the required threshold.
According to him, the photo of Founding Father Jomo Kenyatta is still visible, contrary to what the constitution envisaged. In the constitution, Kenyan currency should not bear images of an individual.
"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 the latest development has received support from a section of Kenyans, with some saying that the directive is a major milestone in the fight against corruption.
"President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken the war against Corruption to the next level .. All Kshs. 1,000/= are invalidated ... Kenyans are asked to return the current notes for new ones ...The Corrupt hoarding money have to explain their source of money," said lawyer Donald Kipkorir.
"Instead of arresting thieves, Uhuru has outwitted them. By changing our currency, the guy who withdrew 4 Billion shillings from a Westlands bank in cash has 120 days to spend it or bank it. He has to spend 33 million a day for the next 4 Months or 4 Million an Hour," added Mutahi Ngunyi.