The samples of the new currency notes. [Photo/Duncan Makori]
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) through the Governor Patrick Njoroge has confirmed that new generation currency notes will be rolled out before the end of May 2018.
“We expect, according to our current timeline, to issue the new currency sometime in the second quarter of 2018," he said.
The constitution prohibits the use of portraits of individuals on currencies, like the current ones which bear images of first President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel arap Moi.
However, after images of the expected currency notes found its way on the social media, Kenyans took up the chance to express their thoughts on the development.
Here are some of the comments.
Kenya's new currency has Athletes to represent the Kalenjin community and Mt Kenya to Represent Kikuyu community. Tribalism must be rejected.@Disembe @C_NyaKundiH @MigunaMiguna @KBonimtetezi @CoalitionNASAKe pic.twitter.com/PAca07O4p4
— Duncan Makori (@EngnrDan) January 3, 2018
Why are you putting elephants and zebras on the new currency? Weka picha ya takataka, ya police wakishoot watoto, faces za chinese, picha za watu wakiombea barabara...use the real pictures that represent Kenya as it is
— Shitalasi (@KAANAtion) January 3, 2018
@UKenyatta Mr President please consider including the face of the founding father of Kenya on new currency.... https://t.co/CyxziLF9mm
— ★👑 S'thembiso👑★ (@king_sthera13) January 3, 2018
A huge dissapointment for the slaying community in Kenya as they are not represented in the new currency notes pic.twitter.com/BTSmVo7OlU
— Albo ™ (@albo_albert) January 3, 2018
#FactsFirstFastThe notes samples doing rounds are just but a concept from a designer not authenticated by @CBKKenya as they keep details of new currency close to chest citing national security threat.Unrelated; they look like Sepetuka..Jameson Live tickets😂 pic.twitter.com/k4gYZSJoX3
— Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) January 3, 2018
#K24EveningEdition at first I thought these are the new Kenyan game park tickets look until i saw the name 'Central Bank of Kenya' and currency came to my mind,so this will be our new 'currency'?isokei isorait pic.twitter.com/feTCr18zKd
— linda kyle (@lindachepkwony6) January 3, 2018
I've seen samples of new generation Kenya currency. Conspicuously missing are important landmarks such as the Tusks of Mombasa or Kilindini Harbour of Coast region and Lake Victoria of Western region.
— Raymond Ofula (@OfulaRaymond) January 3, 2018
New kenya currency notes look awesome. Sasa niskie mtu akisema kenya ni ya nyanya yao jinga😁😁😁😁😁😁
— Mike Frost (@mykfrost) January 3, 2018
The new currency should bare ugali as the front image. Ugali is a unifying factor in Kenya. Hizo milima zilotolewe please
— NRM (@kevanmullah) January 3, 2018
However, reliable reports indicated that the images doing round on social media are just samples that are yet to be approved by the Central Bank of Kenya.