The new currency notes do not bear the portrait of the founding father of the nation Mzee Jomo Kenyatta but the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the Central Bank of Kenya has said.
According to the top bank, Kenyatta’s stature appears on KICC, which means the new notes have not violated the new constitution in any way.
The bank has dismissed a case filed by activist Okiya Omtatah who wants the face of the first President removed from the notes. The CBK also said that the Attorney General approved the including the KICC on the notes after conducting proper research over the same.
The bank further argued that KICC is an important landmark in the country and including it on the new notes is not a violation of the constitution of this nation.
In a response filed Tuesday, CBK explained that the statue which forms part of the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) is not a violation of the Constitution.
“It depicts the very essence of Kenya and national heritage because of its unique architectural design,” CBK stated.
CBK also dismissed claims that the public was not involved in the decision before the new notes were unveiled.
The bank insisted that the general public and other stakeholders were part of the decision before the new notes were unveiled.
“There was wide public and stakeholder engagement which provided proper guidelines,” CBK further states.
Former Kamukunji MP and current legislator in the East African Assembly Simon Mbugua had filed a case in court seeking to stop the issuance of the new notes.