The Central Bank of Kenya has issued a formal warning against the increasingly popular practice of transforming banknotes into floral-style bouquets, a trend that has gained significant traction through social media influencers and celebrity endorsements. These monetary arrangements, particularly popular during Valentine’s Day celebrations, involve meticulously rolling and fastening currency notes of various denominations to resemble traditional flower bouquets.
In an official statement released Monday, the banking authority clarified that such creative manipulations constitute defacement of national currency, an offense punishable by up to seven years imprisonment under Kenyan law. The bank detailed how the practice involves folding, rolling, gluing, stapling, and pinning notes together using adhesives and fastening materials, ultimately compromising their structural integrity.
The technical consequences have proven substantial, with damaged notes causing operational disruptions across automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash-counting equipment. This has resulted in increased currency rejection rates and generated unnecessary replacement costs for both financial institutions and the public.
Despite these restrictions, the central bank emphasized it does not oppose monetary gifting traditions, instead encouraging alternative presentation methods that preserve note quality. The timing of this announcement proves particularly significant given Kenya’s status as a leading global flower producer, with many citizens noting the irony of choosing currency manipulations over fresh floral arrangements.
Social media reactions have ranged from amused to supportive, with some commentators praising the regulation as a welcome relief from expensive and wasteful gifting practices. The announcement has sparked broader discussions about cultural traditions, economic practicality, and appropriate Valentine’s Day celebrations in the East African nation.