The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has unveiled the much-anticipated 2024 series of Kenyan banknotes, setting a new standard for security and innovation in the country's currency.
CBK in November 20, 2024, announced the roll-out of updated Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, and Sh500 notes, which will circulate alongside the 2019 series. The new series incorporates several changes while maintaining most of the elements introduced in the 2019 series. The updates include:
Signatures of new officials:
Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya: Dr. Kamau Thugge
Principal Secretary, National Treasury: Dr. Chris Kiptoo
Year of Print:
The notes are dated 2024, clearly marked for easy identification.
Advanced Security Threads:
Colour-changing threads specific to each denomination add an extra layer of protection against counterfeiting.
The CBK has also provided a step-by-step guide on how to verify the authenticity of the 2024 Kenyan banknotes.
Step 1: Feel the note
Tactile features:
Run your fingers over the word "KENYA" and the edge bars specific to the denomination. The text and bars should feel raised.
Value Edge Bars: Each denomination has a distinct number of tactile bars:
Sh50: 1 bar
Sh100: 2 bars
Sh200: 3 bars
Sh500: 4 bars
Step 2: Look at the note
Watermark: Hold the note to the light to reveal a lion's head watermark, visible from both sides.
Security thread: A continuous thread runs vertically through the note and is clearly visible when held up to the light.
Alignment: The CBK logo and the denomination align perfectly when viewed from both sides.
Step 3: Tilt the note
Colour-changing threads: Tilt the note at an angle to see the thread change colour. Each denomination has a unique colour effect:
Green for Sh50
Purple for Sh100
Blue for Sh200
Red for Sh500
Golden Band: The band glows under UV light and displays the value of the banknote.
READ: CBK introduces new rules for large bank transactions: How they’ll affect you
Themes and designs for each denomination
The 2024 series maintains themes inspired by Kenya’s development priorities:
Sh50: Green energy
Sh100: Agriculture
Sh200: Social services
Sh500: Tourism
Sh1,000: Governance
The intricate illustrations on each note highlight Kenya’s achievements in these sectors, making counterfeiting them extremely difficult.
What to do if you suspect a counterfeit
If you come across a suspicious note:
Do not attempt to use it—this is illegal.
Report the note to your nearest bank or CBK branch.
Provide details of where and how you obtained the note.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure you’re always using authentic currency and supporting Kenya’s fight against counterfeiting.