President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday morning launched the new-look coins that will be in compliance of the Constitutional requirement that Kenyan currency should not bear the face of any individual.
President Kenyatta made the announcement at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) headquarters, adding that release of the new currency would begin immediately.
“I am extremely pleased that today we can achieve yet another milestone, launching the family of new generation coins,” the President said.
The head of state added that the new coins would bear features that would make them easily usable by persons with visual imprairments.
“I am also informed that the coins contain features that make them more accessible to visually impaired persons and I applaud you for that,” he said.
No time line was given for release of the new generation of notes, although the company awarded the printing tender, De La Rue had indicated that they would be ready in 2019.
Launch of the new generation currency has delayed over the past eight years over tender wars and lack of commitment from government officials.
The currency becomes legal tender today with the issuance of new coins as it has now been gazetted.
“I am happy that the public views were considered. I am also informed that the coins contain features for visually impaired persons,” he said.
Following the passing of the 2010 Constitution, the CBK was mandated to spearhead the production and roll out of the new currency notes.
The Constitution prohibits the use of a person’s portrait on currencies meaning the upgrade is expected to have new features.
Notes currently in circulation have the images of first President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel Arap Moi.
The new-look notes are fashioned to enable the visually-impaired to use them.
They are expected to be in notes of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, Sh500 and Sh1,000.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and CBK Governor Patrick Njorge announce the new-generation coins that have been gazetted and will begin to circulate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
Introduction of the new currency should be followed by an immense public campaign to sensitise citizens on the rollout, leading to the withdrawal of the current notes in circulation.