Banknotes
On 14 September 1966, the Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling at par, although the latter was not demonetized until 1969. The Central Bank of Kenya issued notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 shillings. All of the notes feature a portrait of Kenya’s first prime minister and president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, on the front and diverse economic activities on the back.
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.
| Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (1996 "Arap Moi" issue) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark |
| 20 shillings (Shilingi Ishirini) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Baton; Moi International sports complex, Nairobi, jogger | Lion's head | |
| 50 shillings (Shilingi Hamsini) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Caravan; monument in Mombasa | Lion's head | |
| 100 shillings (Shilingi Mia Moja) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Monument to the 25th anniversary of independence, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
| 200 shillings (Shilingi Mia Mbili) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Unity monument, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
| 500 shillings (Shilingi Mia Tano) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Parliament building, Nairobi | Lion's head | |
| 1000 shillings (Shilingi Elfu Moja) | President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi; Coat of arms of Kenya | Elephants | Lion's head | |
| Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2004 "Jomo Keyatta" issue (current issue)) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark |
| 50 shillings (Shilingi Hamsini) | President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Caravan; monument in Mombasa | Lion's head and electrotype 50 | |
| 100 shillings (Shilingi Mia Moja) | President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Kenyatta statue; tower | Lion's head and electrotype 100 | |
| 200 shillings (Shilingi Mia Mbili) | President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Cotton harvest | Lion's head and electrotype 200 | |
| 500 shillings (Shilingi Mia Tano) | President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Parliament building, Nairobi | Lion's head and electrotype 500 | |
| 1000 shillings (Shilingi Elfu Moja) | President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya | Elephants | Lion's head and electrotype 1000 | |
Read more about this topic: Kenyan Shilling