Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge. Photo www.youtube.comThe National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) have maintained silence over the timelines for the printing of a new-look currency to meet a constitutional requirement.This comes at a time experts say navigating the procurement process can be long-winded at times.“I remember I went through this exercise. We tendered and then re-tendered. It takes a lot of time – from tendering to delivery to the warehouse,” said Dr Andrew Mullei, who served as governor of the Central Bank of Kenya from 2003 to 2007.“Remember before you release them, you have to educate the public about the new notes.”The Constitution bars the use of portraits or images of individuals on currency, stating that notes and coins should only bear images that depict or symbolise an aspect of Kenya, meaning the current notes in circulation violate this rule.The first attempt to roll out the new look currency was shrouded in secrecy. It was stopped but restarted afresh after being engulfed by a tendering controversy forcing CBK to cancel the initial tender.

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