Celebrated economist David Ndii on Wednesday refused to give interviews to at least five media houses over the recently concluded demonetization.

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On Monday, the Central Bank of Kenya phased out Sh1000 old notes from the economy, effectively rendering those that had not been returned to banks useless.

CBK had given an ultimatum of three months for all Kenyans to return the notes but said those of lower value will remain in the economy for some time.

And Ndii took to his Twitter account to reprimand media houses that had been looking for him for an interview over the recent progress.

'Memo to Media Houses. I’ve been called five times this afternoon for a soundbite on demonetization. Needless to say, this is disruptive. 

"I’m happy to do substantive interviews on important issues when available. Any media house that calls for a soundbite will be blacklisted," he wrote.

Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge on Wednesday said that close to Sh209 billion shillings in the old Sh1,000 notes had been returned to the bank.

Further, he said, at least Sh7 billion was not returned to the bank in compliance with the directive. Over 3000 suspicions transactions were reported and are being investigated.

“Time is up! September 30, 2019, has come and gone. Bye bye and goodnight! That’s it,” Dr Njoroge said in a tweet at midnight on Monday night, as he marked the deadline.

Dr Ndii has been a critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta's government, and has often accused the regime of mishandling the economy of the country.