The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the introduction of enhanced security features for its existing banknotes.
This is part of its ongoing efforts to improve the security and integrity of the country’s currency. The updates will affect several denominations of the Kenyan shilling.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the CBK detailed the specific denominations that will receive the new security features. These include the fifty shillings (KES 50), one hundred shillings (KES 100), two hundred shillings (KES 200), five hundred shillings (KES 500), and one thousand shillings (KES 1,000) currency notes.

Key enhancements to the banknotes include, the signature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Dr. Kamau Thuge, The signature of the Principal Secretary, National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo,the year of print, 2024 and new security threads with color-changing effects specific to each denomination.

The CBK emphasized that while these new security features will be added, the rest of the design and features of the banknotes will remain the same as those issued in 2019. Importantly, all banknotes currently in circulation will remain legal tender and will continue to circulate alongside the updated banknotes.

The rollout of the enhanced banknotes will commence with the KES 1,000 note, with other denominations to follow progressively in the coming months.

This initiative is part of CBK’s commitment to maintaining robust security features on the nation’s currency to deter counterfeiting and ensure public confidence in the monetary system.