CBK Introduces Updated Banknotes with Advanced Security Features

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced that the release of updated banknotes for smaller denominations is underway.

In an official statement dated November 20, the bank confirms the introduction of new 50, 100, 200, and 500 shilling notes, with the 1,000 shilling denomination already in circulation. The refreshed currency features several sophisticated security enhancements, including distinctive signatures from CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo. Each note is marked with the 2024 print year and incorporates advanced security threads with denomination-specific color-changing capabilities.

“We wish to update the public that the release of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200 and Sh500 denominations is now in progress. The rest of the features remain the same as those of the series issued in 2019. All banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the released banknotes,” a statement from the CBK reads.

While maintaining the fundamental design of the 2019 series, the new notes introduce significant technological improvements to combat counterfeiting. Existing banknotes will remain legal tender to ensure continuity in financial transactions. The innovative security features include tactile elements that enable individuals to differentiate denominations through touch.

Specific tactile markers are incorporated on the name "Kenya," the note's value, and along the note's edges. When examined against light, the watermark reveals intricate details, including a lion's head, "CBK" text, the banknote's value, and a continuous security thread. Advanced security measures are further enhanced by the notes' dynamic visual characteristics.

When tilted, the security thread changes color, and a golden band displaying the banknote's value becomes visible under ultraviolet light. These sophisticated design elements represent a strategic approach to protecting the integrity of Kenya's national currency against increasingly complex counterfeiting techniques.