Shilingi ya Kenya (Swahili) | |
---|---|
ISO 4217 | |
Code | KES (numeric:404) |
Subunit | 0.01 |
Denominations | |
Subunit | |
1⁄100 | cent |
Banknotes | 50/=, 100/=, 200/=, 500/=, 1,000/= |
Coins | 1/=, 5/=, 10/=, 20/= |
Demographics | |
Date of introduction | 1966 |
User(s) | Kenya |
Issuance | |
Central bank | Central Bank of Kenya |
Website | www |
Valuation | |
Inflation | 4.3% |
Source | Kenya National Bureau of Statistics , as of July 2024. |
The shilling (Swahili : shilingi; abbreviation: KSh; ISO code: KES) is the currency of Kenya. It is divided into 100 cents. The Central Bank of Kenya Act cap 491, mandated the printing and minting of the Kenyan shilling currency. [1]
Prices in the Kenyan shilling are written in the form of x/y
, where x is the amount in shillings, while y is the amount in cents. An equals sign or hyphen represents zero amount. For example, 50 cents is written as "-/50" and 100 shillings as "100/=" or "100/-". Sometimes the abbreviation KSh is prefixed for distinction. If the amount is written using words as well as numerals, only the prefix is used (e.g. KSh 10 million).
This pattern was modelled on sterling's pre-decimal notation, in which amounts were written in some combination of pounds (£), shillings (s), and pence (d, for denarius). In that notation, amounts under a pound were notated only in shillings and pence.
The Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.
10 cents (1980). | |
---|---|
Obverse: Bust of Daniel arap Moi with lettering "PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KENYA DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOI". | Reverse: Face-value, year, Coat of arms of Kenya and country name. |
The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of -/5, -/10, -/25 and -/50, and 1/= and 2/=; -/25 coins were not minted after 1969 (except in the 1973 set); 2/= coins were last minted in 1971 (except in the 1973 set). In 1973 and 1985, 5/= coins were introduced, followed by 10/= in 1994 and 20/= in 1998.
Between 1967 and 1978, the portrait of Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, originally appeared on the obverse of all of independent Kenya's coins. In 1980, a portrait of Daniel arap Moi replaced Kenyatta until 2005, when the central bank introduced a new coin series that restored the portrait of Kenyatta. The coins are -/50 and 1/= in stainless steel and bi-metallic coins of 5/=, 10/= and 20/=. A bi-metallic 40/= coin with the portrait of then-President Mwai Kibaki was issued in 2003 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Kenyan independence (1963). [2]
New coins with the image of Kenyatta were issued in 2005. In 2010, Section 231(4) of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya stated "Notes and coins issued by the Central Bank of Kenya may bear images that depict or symbolise Kenya or an aspect of Kenya but may not bear the portrait of any individual." New banknotes and coins were scheduled to be released by 2018 to meet up with this new law. [3] A new series of coins was issued on 11 December 2018, in denominations of 1/=, 5/=, 10/= and 20/=. All of the coins depict the national Coat of arms of Kenya on the obverse and images of Africa's recognisable animals on the reverse. [4] The new series of coins is designed to be more recognisable for visually impaired people. [5]
Coins of the Kenyan shilling (2018 issues) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Value | Technical parameters | Description | ||||
Diameter | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | ||
1/= | 23.9 mm | 5.5 grams | Nickel-plated steel | Segmented (Plain and Reeded sections) | Coat of arms of Kenya; text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili | Giraffe; denomination in English and Swahili | |
5/= | 19.5 mm | 3.75 grams | Bi-metallic coin (Brass-plated steel center plug with a Nickel-plated steel outer ring) | Reeded | Coat of arms of Kenya; text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili | Rhinoceros; denomination in English and Swahili | |
10/= | 23 mm | 5 grams | Bi-metallic coin (Nickel-plated steel center plug with a Brass-plated steel outer ring) | Reeded | Coat of arms of Kenya; text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili | Lion; denomination in English and Swahili | |
20/= | 26 mm | 9 grams | Bi-metallic coin (Brass-plated steel center plug with a Nickel-plated steel outer ring) | Segmented (Plain and Reeded sections) | Coat of arms of Kenya; text "Republic of Kenya" in English and Swahili | Elephant; denomination in English and Swahili | |
Sellers and consumers alike, especially within the rural areas, have increasingly rejected the 50 cents and 1 shilling coins, despite assurances from the Central Bank of Kenya regarding their continued validity. The reluctance to accept these coins has stemmed from perceptions among both sellers and consumers that they lack substantial value. [6] [7] [8]
On 14 September 1966, the Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling at par, although the latter was not demonetised until 1969. The Central Bank of Kenya issued notes in denominations of 5/=, 10/=, 20/=, 50/= and 100/=. All of the notes feature a portrait of Kenya's first prime minister and president, Jomo Kenyatta, on the front and diverse economic activities on the back. [9]
5/= notes were replaced by coins in 1985, with the same happening to 10/= and 20/= in 1994 and 1998. In 1986, 200/= notes were introduced, followed by 500/= in 1988 and 1,000/= in 1994.
As with the coins, Kenyatta appeared on the banknotes issued until 1978, with Daniel arap Moi's portrait replacing him in 1980. In 2003, after Mwai Kibaki replaced Moi as president, 5/=, 10/=, and 20/= notes from the 1978 series with Kenyatta's picture that had been in storage were issued, and circulated for a time. A new series of notes was then introduced on which Kenyatta reappeared in denominations of 50/=, 100/=, 200/=, 500/= and 1,000/=. The issue of the 200/= banknote dated 12 December 2003 commemorates the "40 years of Independence 1963–2003". The banknotes are printed in Nairobi by security printer De La Rue.
On 31 May 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya issued a new family of banknotes without the portraits of known Kenyan individuals, as mandated by the Constitution of Kenya of 2010. At the same time, the Central Bank of Kenya has withdrawn all previous versions of the 1,000/= banknote. These remained legal tender until 1 October 2019. All of the banknotes for this series share a common design of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on the front side of the notes, and the back side of the notes feature images showcasing the richness of the people and nature of Kenya: "Green Energy" (50/=), "Agriculture" (100/=), "Social Services" (200/=), "Tourism" (500/=) and "Governance" (1,000/=). All five denominations also embody each of the big five animals of Africa: the buffalo (50/=), the leopard (100/=), rhinoceros (200/=), the lion (500/=) and the elephant (1,000/=). [10] [11]
The Central Bank of Kenya introduced an updated series of banknotes beginning with the KES 1,000 denomination in 2024. This newly released banknote retains a similar design to the previous series but features several key updates. These changes include: new signatures from the current Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Kamau Thugge and the designated member of the bank's board, year of printing and an upgraded enhanced security thread to counter counterfeiting. [12]
The new KES 1,000 banknote will circulate concurrently with those from earlier series, maintaining the continuity of the currency in Kenya.
During the initial announcement of the updated banknotes, some online controversy arose after the Central Bank of Kenya's governor mentioned that a German company had been awarded the printing contract but did not specify the specific company. It was later revealed that the contract was awarded to Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technologies GmbH, a German firm, with the agreement set to last for five years. [13] [14]
Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (1996 "Arap Moi" issue) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Denomination | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark |
20/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Baton; Moi International sports complex, Nairobi, jogger | Lion's head | |
50/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Caravan; Elephant tusks monument in Moi Avenue (formerly Kilindini Road), Mombasa | Lion's head | |
100/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Monument to the 25th anniversary of independence, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
200/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Unity monument, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
500/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Parliament building, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
1,000/= | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Elephants | Lion's head | |
Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2004 "Jomo Kenyatta" issue (to be withdrawn from circulation)) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Denomination | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark |
50/= | President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Caravan; Elephant tusks monument in Moi Avenue (formerly Kilindini Road), Mombasa | Lion's head and electrotype 50 | |
100/= | President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Kenyatta statue; tower | Lion's head and electrotype 100 | |
200/= | President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Cotton harvest | Lion's head and electrotype 200 | |
500/= | President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Parliament building, Nairobi | Lion's head and electrotype 500 | |
1,000/= | President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Elephants | Lion's head and electrotype 1000 | |
Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2019 issue (current issue)) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Denomination | Main Colour | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark | |
50/= | Red | Coat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Buffalo | "Green Energy" (Wind Power, geothermal power, solar power) | Lion's head and electrotype 50 | ||
100/= | Violet | Coat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Leopard | "Agriculture" (Cereal, agriculture, livestock) | Lion's head and electrotype 100 | ||
200/= | Blue | Coat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Rhinoceros | "Social Services" (Health services, Education, sports) | Lion's head and electrotype 200 | ||
500/= | Green | Coat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Lion | "Tourism" (Wildlife; Lion) | Lion's head and electrotype 500 | ||
1000/= | Brown | Coat of arms of Kenya; Statue of President Jomo Kenyatta; Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Elephant | "Governance" (Parliament building, Nairobi) | Lion's head and electrotype 1000 | ||
The current exchange rate is readily obtainable from services such as those in the table below:
Current KES exchange rates | |
---|---|
From Google Finance: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
From Yahoo! Finance: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
From XE.com: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
From OANDA: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
The Kwacha is the currency of Zambia. It is subdivided into 100 Ngwee.
The lek is the currency of Albania. Historically, it was subdivided into 100 qintars.
The Brunei dollar, has been the currency of the Sultanate of Brunei since 1967. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively B$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The currency is divided into 100 cents and is issued by the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank.
The Singapore dollar is the official currency of the Republic of Singapore. It is divided into 100 cents. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issues the banknotes and coins of the Singapore dollar.
The Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. It is subdivided into 100 cents, but cents are rarely seen in circulation due to its low value. It is issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The abbreviation Re (singular) and Rs (plural) is generally used, the World Bank suggests SL Rs as a fully disambiguating abbreviation for distinction from other currencies named "rupee".
The Mauritian rupee is the currency of Mauritius. One rupee is subdivided into 100 cents. Several other currencies are also called rupee.
The lira or pound was the currency of Malta from 1972 until 31 December 2007. One lira was divided into 100 cents, each of 10 mils. After 1986 the lira was abbreviated as Lm, although the original £M sign continued to be used unofficially. In English the currency was still frequently called the pound even after its official English language name was changed to lira.
The leone is the currency of Sierra Leone. It is subdivided into 100 cents. As of 1 July 2022, the ISO 4217 code is SLE due to a redenomination of the old leone (SLL) at a rate of SLL 1000 to SLE 1. The leone is abbreviated as Le placed before the amount.
The lira was the currency of Italy between 1861 and 2002. It was introduced by the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy in 1807 at par with the French franc, and was subsequently adopted by the different states that would eventually form the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. It was subdivided into 100 centesimi, which means "hundredths" or "cents". The lira was also the currency of the Albanian Kingdom from 1941 to 1943.
The pound is the currency of Guernsey. Since 1921, Guernsey has been in currency union with the United Kingdom and the Guernsey pound is not a separate currency but is a local issue of sterling banknotes and coins, in a similar way to the banknotes issued in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. It can be exchanged at par with other sterling coinage and notes.
The shilling is the currency of Uganda. Officially divided into cents until 2013, due to substantial inflation the shilling now has no subdivision.
The Somaliland shilling is the official currency of the Republic of Somaliland, an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, recognised internationally as de jure part of Somalia.
The kyat is the currency of Myanmar (Burma). The typical notation for the kyat is "K" (singular) and "Ks." (plural), placed before the numerals followed by "/-". Amounts less than K. 1/- are typically denoted with the number of pyas following "-/".
The shilling is the currency of Tanzania. It is subdivided into 100 cents . The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling on 14 June 1966 at par.
The dalasi is the currency of the Gambia that was adopted in 1971. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasis, i.e. 1 dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.
The Jamaican dollar has been the currency of Jamaica since 1969. It is often abbreviated to J$, the J serving to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents, although cent denominations are no longer in use as of 2018. Goods and services may still be priced in cents, but cash transactions are now rounded to the nearest dollar.
The Trinidad and Tobago dollar is the currency of Trinidad and Tobago. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively TT$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is subdivided into 100 cents. Cents are abbreviated with the cent sign ¢, or TT¢ to distinguish from other currencies that use cents. Its predecessor currencies are the Trinidadian dollar and the Tobagonian dollar.
The Barbadian dollar is the official currency in Barbados. It is often abbreviated to international unofficial abbreviations in Barbados such as: B$, BD$ or the International vehicle registration code BDS$ is also commonly used, a currency code that is otherwise reserved for Bangladesh outside Barbados. As such the present Barbados dollar has the official ISO 4217 code of BB which matches the [dot] .bb Cc-TLD domain names classification for Barbados under ISO 3166, plus D for dollar in the foreign exchange market. The Barbadian dollar is considered a currency which can be divided into 100 cents, though the 1 cent coin is in the process of being phased out.
The East African shilling was the sterling unit of account in British-controlled areas of East Africa from 1921 until 1969. It was issued by the East African Currency Board. It is also the proposed name for a common currency that the East African Community plans to introduce.
The guilder or florin was the currency of the Netherlands from 1434 until 2002, when it was replaced by the euro.
Preceded by: East African shilling Reason: currency independence Ratio: at par Note: independent shilling introduced in 1966, but EA shilling not demonetised until 1969 | Currency of Kenya 1966 – | Succeeded by: Current |