Kenya Central Bank Bans Cash Bouquets Using Banknotes Ahead of Valentine’s Day

2026-02-03, 18:15 UTC

Kenya’s Central Bank of Kenya has prohibited the use of Kenyan shilling banknotes in cash bouquets and similar decorative gifts, warning the public that altering currency could violate the law and damage the integrity of the nation’s money ahead of Valentine’s Day.

In a public notice issued on 2 February 2026, the central bank said it has observed a rise in the use of folded, rolled, stamped, or glued banknotes for ornamental displays and gift presentations, particularly cash flower bouquets. The practice has been popularised recently on social media and in celebratory contexts.

The regulator said such handling compromises the physical integrity of banknotes, rendering them unsuitable for circulation and disrupting cash-handling infrastructure, including automated teller machines and currency processing systems.

Under Section 367 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63, Laws of Kenya), the bank said, willfully mutilating, defacing, or impairing currency issued by a lawful authority is a criminal offence that could carry penalties including imprisonment.

Although the bank clarified that giving cash as a gift is not prohibited, it said currency should not be altered in ways that prevent it from circulating freely or performing its function as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value.

The warning comes as Valentine’s Day approaches on 14 February, a period when cash bouquets have gained traction as an alternative to traditional floral gifts in parts of Kenya.

Reactions within Kenya have been mixed. Some commentators welcomed the move as a reminder of legal responsibilities and a return to traditional gifts, while others questioned whether the timing was appropriate given cultural preferences surrounding celebratory practices.

Kenya is one of Africa’s largest producers of cut flowers and ornamental plants, with Valentine’s Day a peak period for floral commerce. The ban on cash bouquets underscores regulatory efforts to protect the physical currency while also intersecting with cultural practices around gift-giving during continental and global celebrations.