CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge on Saturday unveiled what to many Kenyans was a major surprise.
Though CBK claims the withdrawal directive is meant to deal with the menace of counterfeit Ksh. 1,000 notes in the country and beyond borders, there is a bigger issue.
The fight against corruption and wanton siphoning of public resources, at the national and county levels.
Tusherehekee Madaraka Yetu! Our New Generation Currency banknotes are here! pic.twitter.com/Spasq8t7JO
— Central Bank of Kenya (@CBKKenya) June 1, 2019
There are, in circulation:
– 217.6 million pieces of KES 1,000
– 30.8 million pieces of KES 500
– 54.8 million pieces of KES 200
– 126.4 million pieces of KES 100
– 100.5 million pieces of KES 50
– 9.9 million pieces of KES 20— Central Bank of Kenya (@CBKKenya) June 3, 2019
Those owning the Kshs. 1000 notes will be required to return the money to banks of which some will be required to explain the source of their money.
The directive has since called for a number of reactions;
Now, the Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has announced that he is selling his Ksh.1000 notes at half a price.
Posting on his twitter account he wrote;
“I’m selling these at half the price”
I’m selling these at half the price pic.twitter.com/9VD8kxfT6v
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) June 2, 2019
Reacting to the post which to some sounded like a joke, a number of the netizens showed interest in the same , others tagged the Directive of Criminal Investigation while others laughed off the post.
Here are some of the reactions;
I have 100k give me 200k
— William Masine (@mwilliam18) June 2, 2019
i need some urgently
— Release Assange (@ThePostconner) June 2, 2019
na kwani mimi nilikosea wapi🙂🙂🙂 ata coins sina😂
— AG Samuel (@therealmakuthu) June 3, 2019
So whats this? A common man still don’t know wat this is.
— Mundu Wa Njeri (@djvasco254) June 2, 2019
Mocking the poor people who braved the chilly weather to vote for you and cannot afford to have even 1k in their possession….
The stupidity in you is unparalleled omuga.— Change (@ayodo_change) June 2, 2019
Owino’s post has happened just a few days after the Samburu County driver was arrested ferrying Ksh 1 million in Ksh 1000 notes. He could however not account for the source and the intended use.
SAMBURU COUNTY Driver; Lejisaat Samuel Supuko, has been arrested with Ksh. 1,099,000 that he could NOT account for the source and the intended use. pic.twitter.com/UVwW0Krbus
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) June 2, 2019