Despite the glamour and celebration over the launch of the new generation currency by president Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyans aren’t happy about one particular thing.
Article 231(4) of the constitution prohibits the currency to contain the image of an individual.
Early last year actist Okiya Omtata had moved to court to challenge the central bank to remove the images of founding president Kenyatta and that of Moi and replace them with images of national heritage.
BREAKING
Kenya Central Bank Governor says they have completed the printing of new generation bank notes and the process of circulating the new-look currency has begun. pic.twitter.com/SbPBqaPCWy
— Kenyan wallstreet (@kenyanwalstreet) June 1, 2019
According to the constitution, it prohibits the use of portraits or images of individuals on the currency. The constitution states that notes and coins should only bear images that depict or symbolize an aspect of Kenya.
Somehow the CBK Patrick Njoroge had to find a way to have Jomo Kenyatta's image on the new currency notes against the letter and spirit of the 2010 constitution!! Kweli Kenya ina wenyewe… Okiya Omtata will be in court on Monday to try to reverse this, an exercise in futility. pic.twitter.com/8AR3pxQKUj
— Pato Thitu (@PatrickThitu) June 1, 2019
The new currency launched by Kenyatta still contains the statue of president Kenyatta which Kenyans couldn’t take easily.
President launches the new generation bank notes #MadarakaDay2019 pic.twitter.com/Tuq5a9KyyH
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 1, 2019
Article 231(4) of our Constitution outlaws currency bearing portraits and images of individuals.
New notes have Mzee Jomo Kenyatta image; representation of the external form of a person or thing in art. pic.twitter.com/EDQUwvDRZh
— GICHUKI™wachiuri🇰🇪 (@iGICHUKIj) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/OtienoMfalme/status/1134780576664305664