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Popular Nairobi florist switches to US dollar money bouquets following CBK warning
06th February, 2026 01:53 AM
Popular city florist Nimoh Flowers has shifted to making US dollar money bouquets just days after the Central Bank of Kenya issued a stern warning to Kenyans against the misuse of new notes in the creation of such items.
In a video shared on her TikTok page on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Nimoh showcased the well-crafted money bouquet, which had been made using various US dollar denominations, including $5 notes.
She further explained that they had to find a method that would not go against CBK’s stipulations and emphasised that they were confident the new approach was completely compliant.
“Our designs don’t damage nor deface our currency notes ☺️,” she wrote.
CBK’s warning
The bank noted that there has been a growing trend of using Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative purposes, including cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements.
“The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has noted a growing trend in the use of Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes, including the preparation of cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and similar arrangements,” the statement read in part.
According to the CBK, many of these practices involve folding, rolling, glueing, taping, stapling, pinning, or otherwise affixing banknotes using adhesives and fastening materials.
The bank explained that such handling compromises the integrity of the notes and renders them unsuitable for circulation.
“In many instances, banknotes are folded, rolled, glued, taped, stapled, pinned, or otherwise affixed using adhesives and fastening materials. Such practices compromise the integrity of Kenya Shilling banknotes and render them unsuitable for circulation,” the statement noted.
The central bank also highlighted that the use of adhesives, staples, pins, and other materials can interfere with cash-handling and processing equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs), cash counting machines, and sorting devices.
CBK warned that this leads to increased rejection of banknotes during processing and causes premature withdrawal and replacement at unnecessary cost to the public and the bank.
“The use of adhesives, pins, staples, and similar materials damages banknotes and interferes with the efficient operation of cath-handling and processing equipment, including automated teller machines (ATMs), cash counting machines, and sorting equipment. This results in increased rejection of banknotes during processing and leads to the premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, at an avoidable cost to the public and the Bank,” it stated.
While emphasising that giving money as a gift is acceptable, the CBK clarified that currency notes must remain in a condition that allows them to circulate freely.
“Any action that alters, damages, or defaces banknotes is prohibited under Section 367 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63),” the bank said, noting that those who willfully deface or impair currency notes commit an offence.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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