Kenyan shilling explained

Local Name1:Shilingi ya Kenya
Local Name Lang1:sw
Image 2:File:New-Generation-100-Shillings-Observe.png
Image Title 2:100/= Kenyan Shillings Banknote
Iso Code:KES
Subunit Name 1:cent
Used Banknotes:,,,,
Used Coins:,,,
Date Of Introduction:1966
Using Countries:Kenya
Issuing Authority:Central Bank of Kenya
Inflation Rate:5.1%
Inflation Source Date:Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, as of June 2010.

The shilling (Swahili: shilingi; abbreviation: KSh; ISO code: KES) is the currency of Kenya. It is divided into 100 cents. The Central Bank of Kenya Act cap 491, mandated the printing and minting of the Kenyan shilling currency.[1]

Notation

Prices in the Kenyan shilling are written in the form of, where x is the amount in shillings, while y is the amount in cents. An equals sign or hyphen represents zero amount. For example, 50 cents is written as "" and 100 shillings as "" or "100/-". Sometimes the abbreviation KSh is prefixed for distinction. If the amount is written using words as well as numerals, only the prefix is used (e.g. KSh 10 million).

This pattern was modelled on sterling's pre-decimal notation, in which amounts were written in some combination of pounds (£), shillings (s), and pence (d, for denarius). In that notation, amounts under a pound were notated only in shillings and pence.

History

The Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.

Coins

The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of,, and, and 1/= and 2/=; coins were not minted after 1969 (except in the 1973 set); 2/= coins were last minted in 1971 (except in the 1973 set). In 1973 and 1985, 5/= coins were introduced, followed by 10/= in 1994 and 20/= in 1998.

Between 1967 and 1978, the portrait of Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, originally appeared on the obverse of all of independent Kenya's coins. In 1980, a portrait of Daniel arap Moi replaced Kenyatta until 2005, when the central bank introduced a new coin series that restored the portrait of Kenyatta. The coins are and 1/= in stainless steel and bi-metallic coins of 5/=, 10/= and 20/=. A bi-metallic 40/= coin with the portrait of then-President Mwai Kibaki was issued in 2003 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Kenyan independence (1963).[2]

New coins with the image of Kenyatta were issued in 2005. In 2010, Section 231(4) of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya stated "Notes and coins issued by the Central Bank of Kenya may bear images that depict or symbolise Kenya or an aspect of Kenya but may not bear the portrait of any individual." New banknotes and coins were scheduled to be released by 2018 to meet up with this new law.[3] A new series of coins was issued on 11 December 2018, in denominations of,, and . All of the coins depict the national Coat of arms of Kenya on the obverse and images of Africa's recognisable animals on the reverse.[4] The new series of coins is designed to be more recognisable for visually impaired people.[5]

Coins of the Kenyan shilling (2018 issues)
Image Value Technical parameters Description
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
23.9 mm 5.5 grams Nickel-plated steelSegmented (Plain and Reeded sections) Coat of arms of Kenya
text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili
Giraffe; denomination in English and Swahili
19.5 mm 3.75 grams Bi-metallic coin (Brass-plated steel center plug with a Nickel-plated steel outer ring)Reeded Coat of arms of Kenya
text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili
Rhinoceros; denomination in English and Swahili
23 mm 5 grams Bi-metallic coin (Nickel-plated steel center plug with a Brass-plated steel outer ring)Reeded Coat of arms of Kenya
text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili
Lion; denomination in English and Swahili
26 mm 9 grams Bi-metallic coin (Brass-plated steel center plug with a Nickel-plated steel outer ring)Segmented (Plain and Reeded sections) Coat of arms of Kenya
text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili
Elephant; denomination in English and Swahili

Phenomenon of traders rejecting lower denomination coins

Sellers and consumers alike, especially within the rural areas, have increasingly rejected the 50 cents and 1 shilling coins, despite assurances from the Central Bank of Kenya regarding their continued validity. The reluctance to accept these coins has stemmed from perceptions among both sellers and consumers that they lack substantial value.[6] [7] [8]

Banknotes

On 14 September 1966, the Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling at par, although the latter was not demonetised until 1969. The Central Bank of Kenya issued notes in denominations of 5/=, 10/=, 20/=, 50/= and 100/=. All of the notes feature a portrait of Kenya's first prime minister and president, Jomo Kenyatta, on the front and diverse economic activities on the back.[9]

5/= notes were replaced by coins in 1985, with the same happening to 10/= and 20/= in 1994 and 1998. In 1986, 200/= notes were introduced, followed by 500/= in 1988 and 1,000/= in 1994.

As with the coins, Kenyatta appeared on the banknotes issued until 1978, with Daniel arap Moi's portrait replacing him in 1980. In 2003, after Mwai Kibaki replaced Moi as president, 5/=, 10/=, and 20/= notes from the 1978 series with Kenyatta's picture that had been in storage were issued, and circulated for a time. A new series of notes was then introduced on which Kenyatta reappeared in denominations of 50/=, 100/=, 200/=, 500/= and 1,000/=. The issue of the 200/= banknote dated 12 December 2003 commemorates the "40 years of Independence 1963–2003". The banknotes are printed in Nairobi by security printer De La Rue.

On 31 May 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya issued a new family of banknotes without the portraits of known Kenyan individuals, as mandated by the Constitution of Kenya of 2010. At the same time, the Central Bank of Kenya has withdrawn all previous versions of the 1,000/= banknote. These remained legal tender until 1 October 2019. All of the banknotes for this series share a common design of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on the front side of the notes, and the back side of the notes feature images showcasing the richness of the people and nature of Kenya: "Green Energy" (50/=), "Agriculture" (100/=), "Social Services" (200/=), "Tourism" (500/=) and "Governance" (1,000/=). All five denominations also embody each of the big five animals of Africa: the buffalo (50/=), the leopard (100/=), rhinoceros (200/=), the lion (500/=) and the elephant (1,000/=).[10] [11]

Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (1996 "Arap Moi" issue)
Image Denomination Obverse Reverse Watermark
20/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaBaton; Moi International sports complex, Nairobi, joggerLion's head
50/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaCaravan; Elephant tusks monument in Moi Avenue (formerly Kilindini Road), MombasaLion's head
100/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaMonument to the 25th anniversary of independence, NairobiLion's head
200/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaUnity monument, NairobiLion's head
500/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaParliament building, NairobiLion's head
1,000/=President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of KenyaElephantsLion's head
Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2004 "Jomo Kenyatta" issue (to be withdrawn from circulation))
Image Denomination Obverse Reverse Watermark
President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of KenyaCaravan; Elephant tusks monument in Moi Avenue (formerly Kilindini Road), MombasaLion's head and electrotype 50
President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of KenyaKenyatta statue; towerLion's head and electrotype 100
President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of KenyaCotton harvestLion's head and electrotype 200
President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of KenyaParliament building, NairobiLion's head and electrotype 500
President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of KenyaElephantsLion's head and electrotype 1000
Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2019 issue (current issue))
Image Denomination Main Colour Obverse Reverse Watermark
RedCoat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Buffalo"Green Energy" (Wind Power, geothermal power, solar power)Lion's head and electrotype 50
VioletCoat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Leopard"Agriculture" (Cereal, agriculture, livestock)Lion's head and electrotype 100
BlueCoat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Rhinoceros"Social Services" (Health services, Education, sports)Lion's head and electrotype 200
GreenCoat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Lion"Tourism" (Wildlife; Lion)Lion's head and electrotype 500
BrownCoat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Elephant"Governance" (Parliament building, Nairobi)Lion's head and electrotype 1000

Exchange rate

The current exchange rate is readily obtainable from services such as those in the table below:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Early Currencies, Trade and Exchange . Central Bank of Kenya . 8 March 2024.
  2. The Kenya Gazette . Republic of Kenya . 11 December 2003 . CV . 122 . 2681 . Supplement No. 100.
  3. http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=207673#LinkTarget_17054 The Constitution of Kenya of 2010; Section 231(4) on the Central Bank of Kenya
  4. http://news.coinupdate.com/kenya-new-circulation-coin-series-introduced-by-president/ Kenya: New circulation coin series introduced by president
  5. Web site: Kenya makes coins accessible for the visually impaired. 11 May 2019.
  6. Web site: For many rural small traders, the one shilling coin no longer counts . Business Daily . 5 October 2015 . 4 March 2024.
  7. Web site: Sh1bn in coins that Kenyans have ignored . Business Daily . 12 April 2021 . 4 March 2024.
  8. Web site: Are 50 cent and one shilling coins on the way out? . Standard Digital . 4 March 2024.
  9. Book: Linzmayer . Owen . The Banknote Book . Kenya . BanknoteNews.com . 2012 . San Francisco, CA .
  10. Web site: Central Bank unveils new generation banknotes to curb fraud. 1 June 2019. Capital News Kenya.
  11. Web site: New Generation Banknotes Pamphlet. 1 June 2019. Central Bank of Kenya.