(Nairobi) – The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the release of new Ksh50, Ksh100, Ksh200, and Ksh500 banknotes, featuring updated security and design elements.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has started releasing new Ksh50, Ksh100, Ksh200, and Ksh500 banknotes, following the earlier launch of the Ksh1,000 denomination. The move aims to ensure the availability of currency while incorporating modern security features.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, November 20, the new notes bear the signatures of CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo. They are also marked with the year of print, 2024, and include updated security threads with color-changing effects unique to each denomination.
“We wish to update the public that the release of KES 50, KES 100, KES 200, and KES 500 denominations is now in progress. Other than the changes highlighted above, all other features of the banknotes remain the same as those of the series issued in 2019,” the CBK stated.
The bank clarified that existing currency notes will remain in circulation and continue to be valid legal tender alongside the newly issued banknotes.
The release of the new notes follows a warning issued earlier this year about a looming shortage of banknotes. In August, CBK Governor Dr. Thugge told Parliament that the country was at risk of running out of currency, especially the Ksh1,000 notes.
“Around mid-2023, CBK determined that the country was at risk of a stockout of currency banknotes. A stockout has significant economic and national security risks,” Dr. Thugge reported, adding that urgent procurement was necessary to avoid disruptions to the financial system.
Features of New Banknotes
| Denomination | Signatures | Security Features | Year of Print |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ksh50 | CBK Governor, Treasury PS | Color-changing security threads | 2024 |
| Ksh100 | CBK Governor, Treasury PS | Color-changing security threads | 2024 |
| Ksh200 | CBK Governor, Treasury PS | Color-changing security threads | 2024 |
| Ksh500 | CBK Governor, Treasury PS | Color-changing security threads | 2024 |
CBK assured the public that the transition will not disrupt normal cash transactions, emphasizing that both old and new notes will coexist in the economy.