The reason was the increasing production of bouquets and jewelry made from Kenyan shillings for Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14.
According to the regulator, the bills are glued, stitched, needle-punched and otherwise decorated. Despite the spectacular appearance of such gifts, such actions violate the integrity of banknotes, according to the portal 24tv.ua. The damaged money becomes unusable and must be replaced, which creates additional costs for the state.
The Central Bank stressed: it is not forbidden to give cash as gifts, but it is unacceptable to damage it. Any intentional damage, including piercing, gluing or decorating, is considered a violation of the law.
According to Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Kenya, the penalty for currency defacement is a fine of up to 2,000 shillings (about 15.5 US dollars) or imprisonment for up to three months.
Kenya is not the only country where authorities are cracking down on the practice. In March 2023, the Bank of Ghana also appealed to citizens to stop creating money bouquets and baskets.
Thus, romantic gestures should not go against the law: you can show your feelings in different ways, but it is better to protect the national currency.
