You could soon face the force of the law for the viral romantic gesture involving making a cash bouquet from Kenyan banknotes.
This is after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) sounded a warning on Monday, February 2, against the use of Kenyan shilling banknotes for decorative purposes.
In a press release dated Monday, February 2, 2026, CBK noted that citizens have increasingly been using banknotes to create cash bouquets, ornamental displays, and other decorative arrangements, often folding, rolling, glueing, stapling, or pinning the notes.
“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,” CBK said in a statement.
A collage of creative money bouquets created by the upcoming Kenyans to celebrate events such as Valentine’s Day
According to the monetary authority, these actions damage banknotes and interfere with cash-handling equipment, including automated teller machines (ATMs), cash-counting machines, and sorting devices.
The result is higher rejection rates during processing and unnecessary premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, causing avoidable costs to the public and the bank.
CBK clarified that while the use of cash as a gift is permissible, it should not involve altering, defacing, or damaging banknotes. Currency must remain fit for circulation to perform its intended functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value.
The statement went on, “While CBK does not object to the use of cash as a gift, such use should not involve any action that alters, damages, or defaces banknotes. Currency should remain in a condition that allows it to circulate freely and perform its intended functions as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value.”
The bank reminded the public that Section 367 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63, Laws of Kenya) prohibits the defacement, mutilation, or impairment of currency notes, warning that individuals who willfully damage currency issued by a lawful authority commit an offence under the Penal Code.
CBK urged the public to adopt non-damaging alternatives when presenting monetary gifts and to refrain from actions that compromise the quality of Kenya Shilling notes.
The monetary authority’s warning comes barely a fortnight to Valentine’s Day – a day marked with grand romantic gestures.
In Kenya, Valentine’s Day has evolved in interesting ways, with lovers increasingly opting for grand gestures such as bouquets made from cash instead of traditional flowers.
