New Kenyan currency: President Uhuru Kenyatta has officially launched new Kenyan money.
The money was launched on Tuesday at the Central Bank of Kenya.
The new moment replaces the old currencies that had the portrait of various Kenyan presidents such as Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi, and Mwai Kibaki.
The money is being printed by currency printing firm De La Rue.
Sh. 20 coin will now bear the portrait of an elephant. Sh. 5 will have a rhino while Sh. 1 will have the picture of a giraffe.
The CBK noted that the coins bear significant aspect of the country and will serve as a means of passing knowledge, conserving culture, and promoting Kenya’s global uniqueness.
Governor Patrick Njoroge said that Central Bank will in the coming days rollout a campaign raising awareness, educating the public on the new coinage.
He said the new coins will circulate alongside previous one issued but not withdrawn.
“CBK invited the public to provide their views on the elements that they desired on the coins. Having considered all submissions, CBK considered the most appropriate elements including the designs that best meet CBK’s technical requirements, serve the public aspirations and capture the spirit of the constitution,” said Governor Njoroge during the launch.
Sh. 1 coins weighs 5.5g and are silver in colour while the Sh. 5 coin weighs 3.75g with a diameter of 19.5mm. The Sh. 10 coin weighs 5g, is 23mm in diameter with a yellow outer and silver inner. The new Sh. 20 coin weighs 9 grammes with a diameter of 26mm – it’s silver outside and yellow inside. It’s silver on the outer side and yellow inside.