Everything about Kenyan Shilling totally explained
The
shilling (
ISO 4217 code:
KES, also often used
KSh) is the
currency of
Kenya. The Kenyan shilling replaced the
East African shilling in 1966 at par.
As the Kenyan shilling is the most stable and strongest currency in east Africa, it's used outside the country mostly in unstable places like
Somalia and southern
Sudan and is favoured over the local currency.
Coins
The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, 1 and 2 shillings. 25 cents coins were not minted after 1969, with 2 shillings coins last minted in 1971. In 1985, 5 shillings coins were introduced, followed by 10 shillings in 1994 and 20 shillings in 1998.
Between 1966 and 1978, the portrait of the first president of Kenya,
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, appeared on the obverse of all Kenya's coins. In 1980, this was replaced by a portrait of
Daniel arap Moi until 2005, when a new coin series was introduced with the portrait of Kenyatta restored. The coins are 50 cents and 1 shilling in stainless steel and
bi-metallic coins of 5, 10 and 20 shillings. A bi-metallic 40 shilling coin with the portrait of President Kibaki was issued in 2003 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of independence (1963-2003).
Banknotes
In 1966, the
Central Bank of Kenya issued notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 shillings. 5 shillings notes were replaced by coins in 1985, with the same happening to 10 and 20 shillings in 1994 and 1998. In 1986, 200 shillings notes were introduced, followed by 500 shillings in 1988 and 1000 shillings in 1994.
As with the coins, Mzee Jomo 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 shilling 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 with denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shilling. The issue of
12 December 2003 commemorates the "40 years of Independence 1963-2003". The banknotes are printed in Nairobi by
De La Rue.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Kenyan Shilling'.
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