Kenyan legislation
Description of New Issue of Fifty, One Hundred, Two Hundred, Five Hundred and One Thousand Shillings Kenya Currency Notes
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The denomination, inscriptions, form, material and characteristics of new fifty shillings, one hundred shillings, two hundred shillings, five hundred shillings and one thousand shillings currency notes to be issued by the Central Bank of Kenya, shall be as follows:—1.Main features of all currency notes:The front of all currency notes shall—(a)bear the image of Kenyatta International Conference Centre, a skyline image of Nairobi, a rising sun, the Coat of Arms and a dove; and (b)bear the signatures of the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, and of the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury. 2.Primary themes, reverse images and currency note sizes:
3.Detailed features: (1)Fifty shillings currency note:(a)DenominationThe denomination of the currency note shall be fifty shillings inscribed in words and in figures on both sides of the banknote. The wording shall be in Kiswahili and English. (b)Basic ColoursFront and back—The main colours shall be red and pink. (c)Other Features(i)a buffalo head protruding from the last zero of the large value numeral; (ii)a lion's head as the main watermark; (iii)colour-changing security thread with the expression "CBK", the denomination value and an image of dove embedded in the thread; and (iv)large value numerals and one bar on the edges of the banknote as recognition features for visually impaired persons. (2)One hundred shillings currency note:(a)DenominationThe denomination of the currency note shall be one hundred shillings inscribed in words and in figures on both sides of the banknote. The wording shall be in Kiswahili and English. (b)Basic colourFront and back—The main colour shall be purple. (c)Other features(i)a leopard head protruding from the last zero of the large value numeral; (ii)a lion's head as the main watermark; (iii)colour-changing security thread with the expression "CBK", the denomination value and an image of a dove embedded in the thread; and (iv)large value numerals and two bars on the edges of the banknote as recognition marks for visually impaired persons. (3)Two hundred shillings currency note:(a)DenominationThe denomination of the currency note shall be two hundred shillings inscribed in words and in figures on both sides of the banknote. The wording shall be in Kiswahili and English. (b)Basic colourFront and back—The main colour shall be blue. (c)Other features(i)a rhino head protruding from the last zero numeral of the large value numeral; (ii)a lion's head as the main watermark; (iii)a colour-changing and rainbow effect security thread with the expression "CBK", the denomination value and an image of a dove embedded in the thread; and (iv)large value numerals three bars on the edges of the banknote as recognition features for visually impaired persons. (4)Five hundred shillings currency note:(a)DenominationThe denomination of the currency note shall be five hundred shillings inscribed in words and in figures on both sides of the banknotes. The wording shall be in Kiswahili and English. (b)Basic coloursFront and back—The main colour shall be green. (c)Other features(i)a lion head protruding from the last zero of the large value numeral; (ii)a lion's head as the main watermark; (iii)a colour-changing and rainbow effect security thread with the expression "CBK", the denomination value and an image of a dove embedded in the thread; and (iv)large value numerals and four bars on the edges of the banknote as recognition features for visually impaired persons. (5)One thousand shillings currency note:(a)DenominationThe denomination of the banknotes shall be one thousand shillings inscribed in words and in figures on both sides of the banknotes. The wording shall be in Kiswahili and English. (b)Basic coloursFront and Back—The main colour shall be brown. (c)Other features(i)an elephant head protruding from the last zero of the large value numeral; (ii)a lion's head as the main watermark; (iii)colour changing and rainbow effect security thread with CBK, the denomination value and an image of a dove embedded in the thread; and (iv)large value numerals and five bars on the edges of the banknote as recognition marks for visually impaired persons. (6)The new banknotes shall circulate alongside those previously issued and not withdrawn.
| Denomination | Theme | Reverse images | Banknote size (mm.) |
| Ksh. 50 | Green energy | WindmillsGeothermal power plantSolar power panel | 123 x 62 |
| Ksh. 100 | Agriculture | Maize cobsTea farmLivestock | 128 x 64 |
| Ksh. 200 | Social services | Health servicesEducationAthletics | 133 x 66 |
| Ksh. 500 | Tourism | BeachWildlifeLion | 138 x 68 |
| Ksh. 1000 | Governance | Parliament Buildings | 143 x 70 |
Source: Kenya Law · Imported 4 October 2026