Kenya’s central bank has warned members of the public against using banknotes to create decorative cash bouquets, declaring that the practice amounts to defacing the national currency and could attract severe penalties.
In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on its official X handle on Tuesday, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said individuals involved in the trend risk up to seven years’ imprisonment if arrested and convicted under existing laws governing the use of the Kenyan currency.
The cash bouquet trend, which has grown in popularity in recent years, involves rolling banknotes of different denominations and colours and fastening them together to resemble flower arrangements. The decorations are commonly exchanged as gifts during celebrations, particularly in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, and have been widely promoted by celebrities and social media influencers.
According to the CBK, the process of folding, rolling, gluing, stapling or pinning banknotes compromises their integrity and damages the currency.
“The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has noted a growing trend in the use of Kenyan shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes, including the preparation of cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements,” the statement read.
“In many instances, banknotes are folded, rolled, glued, taped, stapled, pinned, or otherwise affixed using adhesives and fastening materials. Such practices compromise the integrity of Kenyan shilling banknotes and render them unsuitable for circulation.”
The apex bank added that the use of adhesives, pins and staples damages banknotes and interferes with the efficient operation of cash-handling and processing equipment, including automated teller machines, cash-counting machines and sorting equipment.
CBK noted that the trend has led to an increase in rejected banknotes, resulting in avoidable replacement costs for both the public and financial institutions.
It, however, clarified that while it does not object to the use of cash as a gift, such use must not involve actions that alter, damage or deface banknotes.
“Currency should remain in a condition that allows it to circulate freely and perform its intended functions as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value,” the bank stated.
Kenya, one of the world’s leading producers of flowers, has seen the announcement welcomed by some citizens who argue that fresh floral bouquets are more appropriate Valentine’s Day gifts. The warning has also sparked mixed reactions online, with several users expressing relief over what they described as an expensive and wasteful trend.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14.
