Misusing Kenyan currency can land you in jail for months

Did you know that the Kenyan currency is never yours despite being in possession of it?
Well, the money could be yours but you are not allowed by the law to treat the currency any way you want.
The Central Bank of Kenya (Currency Handling) Regulations, 2010 published in July 2010 set jail terms and fines for those who mishandle the currency.

“The Penal Code has specific actions to be taken on persons violating the good use Kenyan currency,” reads a statement by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Here are some of the things that could be considered as mishandling Kenyan currency:

1. Publishing without CBK authorisation

The law prohibits the use of currency images on advertisements without approval from Central Bank of Kenya. Image: The Star

The law also prohibits the use of currency images on advertisements without approval from Central Bank of Kenya.

“The regulations also prohibit the use of currency images for promotional purposes or otherwise other than as currency without prior approval of the bank,” it states.

One must seek approval in writing and state their full names and address, nationality, and a specimen of the works.
The bank can the approve or decline the request without giving reasons.
Those in breach of this regulation are liable to a penalty of KSh 100,000 and a daily surcharge of KSh 10,000.

2. Writing on notes

Have you ever written a phone number or anything on a banknote? It is illegal! Image: The Star

Spoiling the appearance of a banknote, by drawing or writing on it, can land you a three-month jail sentence.

“Any person who wilfully and without authority or excuse defaces… any currency note shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding two thousand shillings or to both,” reads the law.

3. Tearing notes

If you deliberately tear, cut or mutilate a currency note in any way, a similar punishment awaits you.

4. Damaging coins

“Any person who melts down, breaks up, defaces… coin current for the time being in Kenya is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding KSh 8,000 or to imprisonment for six months or to both,” the law states.

5. Inappropriate use

Using the Kenyan currency coins to scratch your airtime cards is considered illegal. Image: auctioned com

Inappropriate use of the currency, like scratching your airtime cards, is also illegal and can make you go to jail for six months.
If you have a mutilated currency note, the Central Bank of Kenya can exchange it with another one is the currency meets its requirements.