President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Patrick Njoroge, on Tuesday, unveiled the new generation coins that begin circulation on 11th December 2018.
This was in line with the 2010 Constitution which will now have the currency become legal tender after the issuance of new coins following its gazette on Tuesday morning.
“I am happy that the public views were considered. I am also informed that the coins contain features for visually impaired persons,” the President said adding that, “A currency is not just an exchange of value but they present a unique way of history and the celebration of our culture.”
The new currency according to President Uhuru depicts an aspect that best describes Kenya.
The CBK was directed to head the production and roll out of the new currency notes following the passing of the 2010 Constitution which also prohibits the use of a person’s portrait on currencies.
The upgraded currency is hence expected to have new features unlike the previous that had the previous president’s portraits.
The new currency has also been designed to enable the visually-impaired to easily identify them and expected to be in notes of 50 shillings, 100 shillings, 200 shillings, 500 shillings, and 1,000 shillings.
The 1 shilling coin has the image of a giraffe, weighs 5.5grams and is silver in color. It is silver in color.
The 5 shilling coin has the image of a rhino weighs 3.75grams and has a diameter of 19.5millimetre.
The 10 shilling coin has the image of a lion, weighs five grams and is 23 millimeter in diameter. It is silver on the inner side and yellow on the outer.
The 20 shilling coin has the image of an elephant, weighs nine grams and a diameter of 26 millimeters. It is silver on the outer side and yellow on the inside.
Awareness amongst members of the public will be created to inform Kenyans on the rollout which will be followed by withdrawal of the current notes in circulation.