CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge Defends Presence of Kenyatta’s Image on New Banknotes

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge has defended the decision to include an image of the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) on the newly unveiled banknotes.

Critics claimed that the inclusion of the iconic building was an attempt to sneak the image of founding President Jomo Kenyatta on the new currency notes, which violates the Constitution.

Speaking during a press briefing, Dr. Njoroge explained that the focus was supposed to be the KICC and not a statue of Kenyatta outside the building.

Njoroge said the KICC is a key feature that almost every Kenyan is conversant with.

He also said the CBK is ready to defend the new banknotes in court after two petitions were filed on Monday.

"I have been informed of a legal challenge that has just been filed. We are going to deal with such issues as a matter of priority," said Njoroge.

Activist Okiya Omtatah, who is one of the petitioners, argues that the inclusion of President Kenyatta’s image on the new currency notes violate Article 231(4) of the Constitution, which states that Kenyan currency bank notes shall not bear the portrait of any individual.

He further noted that there was no public participation on the design of the new generation notes as the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) claims.

The other petition was filed by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Simon Mbugua.