By NANCY AGUTU

President Uhuru Kenyatta and CBK Governor Patrick Njorge announce the new-generation coins that have been gazetted and will begin to circulate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018./PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta and CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge have unveiled the new generation coins that begin to circulate today.

Uhuru on Tuesday unveiled the new currency as stipulated under the 2010 Constitution.

The currency becomes legal tender today with the issuance of new coins as it has now been gazetted.

“I am happy that the public views were considered. I am also informed that the coins contain features for visually impaired persons,” he said.

“A currency is not just an exchange of value but they present a unique way of history and the celebration of our culture.”

Uhuru said they depict an aspect that best describes Kenya.

Following the passing of the 2010 Constitution, the CBK was mandated to spearhead the production and roll out of the new currency notes.

The Constitution prohibits the use of a person’s portrait on currencies meaning the upgrade is expected to have new features.

Notes currently in circulation have the images of first President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel Arap Moi.

The new-look notes are fashioned to enable the visually-impaired to use them.

They are expected to be in notes of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, Sh500 and Sh1,000.

Introduction of the new currency should be followed by an immense public campaign to sensitise citizens on the rollout, leading to the withdrawal of the current notes in circulation.

Source: The Star