As Valentine’s Day approaches, a rising social media trend involving decorative “money bouquets” crafted from Kenya Shilling banknotes has attracted the attention of national authorities — who say the practice could expose celebrants to criminal prosecution and even imprisonment.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) this week issued a stern warning against turning currency notes into floral-style cash bouquets or decorative displays, a practice that has grown in popularity partly due to influencers and florists marketing them as premium gifts.
According to the bank, the common methods used to create these arrangements — including folding, rolling, stapling, gluing or otherwise affixing materials to the banknotes — damage the physical integrity of the notes and render them unfit for circulation. Such damage, officials say, interferes with automated teller machines (ATMs), cash-counting equipment and other currency-handling systems, ultimately increasing rejection rates and forcing premature withdrawal and replacement at significant societal cost.
Legal Risks Under Kenyan Law
Under Section 367 of the Kenyan Penal Code (Cap. 63), willfully defacing, mutilating or impairing any legal currency note is classified as an offence. Individuals convicted of this crime could face penalties that include fines and terms of imprisonment — with some reports noting possible sentences of up to seven years depending on how offences are charged.
Importantly, CBK spokespeople have reiterated that giving cash as a gift is not in itself prohibited — the legal issue arises when the currency’s physical condition is altered or damaged in ways that compromise its usability. The bank urged people to use envelopes, gift boxes, mobile money transfers, or other non-destructive methods to present monetary gifts.
Similar Laws in Other Countries
Kenya is not alone in enforcing laws against defacing currency. Many countries have legal provisions aimed at protecting the integrity of their money:
🔹 Australia — Under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981, deliberate damage or destruction of Australian coins or notes without legal authority is prohibited, with penalties including fines or detention.
🔹 New Zealand — The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 makes it an offence to willfully deface, disfigure or mutilate banknotes, punishable by fines.
🔹 Philippines — Under Presidential Decree No. 247, willful mutilation of currency can lead to fines, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
🔹 Singapore — Its Currency Act criminalises mutilation or destruction of currency notes or coins, with penalties that can include fines.
🔹 United States — Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 333) criminalises mutilating, cutting, defacing or uniting currency with the intent to render it unfit for re-issuance; offenders can face fines and jail time.
🔹 United Kingdom — The Currency and Bank Notes Act 1928 makes it a criminal offence to deface banknotes.
In Nigeria, too, currency misuse — including defacement such as spraying or damaging naira notes at events — has been condemned by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which warns that offenders could face fines or imprisonment under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.
