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CBK Warns Against Cash Bouquets as Valentine’s Day Approaches, Citing Legal Penalties

Kenyans risk prosecution under the Penal Code for creating decorative arrangements from banknotes, the Central Bank warns

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has issued a stern warning against the increasingly popular practice of creating cash bouquets and decorative arrangements using Kenyan shilling banknotes, cautioning that offenders could face legal action.

In a press statement released on Monday, February 2, 2026, the monetary authority expressed concern over a growing trend where citizens fold, roll, glue, staple, or pin banknotes to create ornamental displays and cash flower bouquets for celebratory occasions.

“The Central Bank of Kenya has noted a growing trend in the use of Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes, including the preparation of cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements,” the statement read.

Impact on Currency Circulation

According to CBK, these creative arrangements significantly damage banknotes and disrupt automated cash-handling systems across the country. The practice interferes with the proper functioning of automated teller machines (ATMs), cash-counting equipment, and sorting devices used in banks and financial institutions.

The damaged notes experience higher rejection rates during processing, necessitating premature withdrawal and replacement of currency. This creates avoidable financial burdens for both the banking sector and taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of currency replacement.

Legal Implications

While the central bank clarified that giving cash as a gift remains permissible, it emphasized that such gifts must not involve altering, defacing, or damaging the banknotes in any way. Currency must remain in circulation-ready condition to fulfill its essential functions as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value.

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“While CBK does not object to the use of cash as a gift, such use should not involve any action that alters, damages, or defaces banknotes,” the statement emphasized.

The bank reminded the public that Section 367 of the Penal Code (Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya) explicitly prohibits the defacement, mutilation, or impairment of currency notes. Anyone who willfully damages currency issued by lawful authority commits a criminal offense under Kenyan law.

Valentine’s Day Connection

The warning arrives less than two weeks before Valentine’s Day on February 14, a date traditionally associated with romantic gestures and gift-giving. In recent years, Kenyan couples have increasingly embraced cash bouquets as an alternative to conventional flower arrangements, viewing them as both practical and impressive gifts.

This cultural shift has spawned a cottage industry of vendors and individuals who specialize in creating elaborate monetary displays for special occasions, including birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries.

CBK’s Recommendations

The Central Bank has urged Kenyans to explore non-damaging alternatives when presenting monetary gifts. Suggestions include placing unaltered notes in decorative envelopes, gift boxes, or transparent holders that preserve the integrity of the currency while still creating an attractive presentation.

The monetary authority stressed that maintaining banknote quality is crucial for ensuring efficient currency circulation and reducing unnecessary costs in the financial system.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Kenyans planning to give cash gifts are now faced with the challenge of balancing creativity with compliance, ensuring their romantic gestures don’t cross the line into criminal territory.