A teller counts Kenyan shilling notes [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Activist Okiya Omtatah wants the portrait of founding President Jomo Kenyatta removed from the country's notes and coins within seven days.
He said the constitution bars any use of portraits or images of individuals on Kenyan currency.
He added that only images that depict or symbolise Kenyanness should be on our money.
"The constitution decrees that notes and coins issued by CBK may bear images that depict or symbolise Kenya or any aspect of Kenya but shall not bear the portrait of any individual," Omtatah said.
In his September 14 letter, the activist gave CBK governor Patrick Njoroge an ultimatum of seven days to comply or face a suit.
"The CBK should publicly declare that it will, with immediate effect, begin withdrawing all unconstitutional currency notes and coins from circulation," he said.
"Failure on your part to respect, uphold and defend the constitution as required will necessitate our recourse at the bank's sole risk as to cost and other consequences, to the constitutional and human rights division, for orders to compel your compliance."
Currently, all notes and coins in Kenya bear the image of Kenyatta, except the Sh40 coin which uses the portrait of former President Mwai Kibaki.