You risk 3 months in jail for sending cash flower bouquets this Valentine

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has cautioned Kenyans against using currency notes as decorative gifts ahead of Valentine’s Day on February 14.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, February 2, 2026, the bank noted a growing trend of using Kenya Shilling banknotes for cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements.

“The Central Bank of Kenya has observed a rising practice of using Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes, including the preparation of cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements,” the statement read.

According to the CBK, these practices often involve folding, rolling, gluing, taping, stapling, pinning, or affixing banknotes with other materials. Such handling compromises the integrity of the notes and renders them unfit for circulation.

“In many instances, banknotes are folded, rolled, glued, taped, stapled, pinned, or otherwise affixed using adhesives and fastening materials. Such practices compromise the integrity of Kenya Shilling banknotes and render them unsuitable for circulation,” the bank explained.

The central bank also warned that adhesives, staples, pins, and other materials can interfere with cash-handling equipment, including automated teller machines (ATMs), cash counters, and sorting devices. This can increase the rejection of banknotes during processing and lead to premature withdrawal and replacement, incurring unnecessary costs to the public and the bank.

3 months in jail

Section 367A of the Penal Code (Cap. 63) criminalizes mutilation or defacement of currency, with offenders facing up to three months in jail.

“Any person who wilfully and without lawful authority or excuse defaces, tears, cuts or otherwise mutilates 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 such imprisonment and fine,” the law provides.

CBK urged the public to consider other cash gifts as an aleternative to the popular practise.

“CBK therefore urges the public to refrain from practices that compromise the integrity of Kenya Shilling banknotes and to adopt alternative, non-damaging methods when presenting monetary gifts,” the Bank said.

The Central Bank stressed its commitment to safeguarding the quality and usability of national currency and announced continued public sensitization efforts to protect confidence in Kenya’s money.

The warning comes ahead of the Valentine’s season, when cash bouquets and decorative cash gifts traditionally surge across the country.