View source for Kenyan shilling

{{Short description|Currency of Kenya}}
{{For-text|earlier currencies used in Kenya|[[East African florin]], [[East African rupee]] and [[East African shilling]]}}
{{Use Kenyan English|date = March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox currency
| local_name1 = Shilingi ya Kenya
| local_name_lang1 = sw
| image_1 = 
| image_2 = File:New-Generation-100-Shillings-Observe.png
| image_title_1 = 
| image_title_2 = 100/= Kenyan Shillings Banknote
| iso_code = KES
| subunit_name_1 = [[Cent (currency)|cent]]
| used_banknotes = {{shilingi|50}}, {{shilingi|100}}, {{shilingi|200}}, {{shilingi|500}}, {{shilingi|1,000}}
| used_coins = {{shilingi|1}}, {{shilingi|5}}, {{shilingi|10}}, {{shilingi|20}}
| subunit_ratio_1 = {{frac|1|100}}
| date_of_introduction = 1966
| using_countries = [[Kenya]]
| issuing_authority = [[Central Bank of Kenya]]
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|www.centralbank.go.ke}}
| inflation_rate = 4.3%
| inflation_source_date = ''[http://www.knbs.or.ke/sectoral/cpi/cpi062010.html Kenya National Bureau of Statistics]'', as of July 2024.
| unit = [[shilling]] <!-- No symbol. KSh is an abbreviation -->
| plural = shillings
}}

The '''shilling''' ({{langx|sw|shilingi}}; abbreviation: '''KSh'''; [[ISO 4217|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Currencies, Trade and Exchange |url=https://www.centralbank.go.ke/currency-history/ |website=Central Bank of Kenya |access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref>

==Notation==
{{see also|Slash_(punctuation)#Currency|l1=Solidus (symbol)}}

Prices in the Kenyan shilling are written in the form of {{code|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 "{{shilingi|-|50}}" and 100 shillings as "{{shilingi|100}}" or "100/{{nbh}}". 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&nbsp;10&nbsp;million).

This pattern was modelled on [[Pound sterling|sterling]]'s [[Pound sterling#Pre-decimal|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.

==History==
The Kenyan shilling replaced the [[East African shilling]] in 1966 at par.

===Coins===
{{Coin image box 1 double
| header = 10 cents (1980).
| image = File:10 Kenyan cent (1980).jpg
| caption_left = '''Obverse''': Bust of [[Daniel arap Moi]] with lettering "PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KENYA DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOI".
| caption_right = '''Reverse''': Face-value, year, [[Coat of arms of Kenya]] and country name.
| width = 250
| footer =
| position = right
| margin = 0
}}

The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of {{shilingi|-|5}}, {{shilingi|-|10}}, {{shilingi|-|25}} and {{shilingi|-|50}}, and 1/= and 2/=; {{shilingi|-|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 {{shilingi|-|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).<ref>{{cite journal |journal=The Kenya Gazette | publisher=Republic of Kenya | date=11 December 2003 |volume=CV |number=122 |page=2681 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YY3EG-Vs1UC&pg=PA2681 |title=Supplement No. 100}}</ref>

{{gallery |width=125 |height=125 |title=Coins of Kenya, 1980 and 2003 
|File:Kenya05shillingbmobv.jpg |5/{{not a typo|&equals;}} coin – obverse |alt1=Face of coin showing portrait of a man surrounded with the words "PRESIDENT DANIEL TOROITICH ARUP MOI"
|File:Kenya05shillingbmrev.jpg |5/{{not a typo|&equals;}} coin – reverse | alt2=Face of coin showing figure 5 and the coat of arms of Kenya, surrounded by the words REPUBLIC OF KENYA, FIVE SHILLINGS
|File:Kenya10shillingbmrev.jpg |10/{{not a typo|&equals;}} coin |alt3=Face of coin showing figure 10 and the coat of arms of Kenya, surrounded by the words REPUBLIC OF KENYA, TEN SHILLINGS
|File:Kenya20shillingbmrev.jpg |20/{{not a typo|&equals;}} coin |alt4=Face of coin showing figure 20 and the coat of arms of Kenya, surrounded by the words REPUBLIC OF KENYA, TWENTY SHILLINGS
|File:KES40.jpg |40/{{not a typo|&equals;}} commemorative coin |alt5=Face of coin showing figure 40 and the coat of arms of Kenya, surrounded by the words COMMEMORATING 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1963{{ndash}}2003
}}

New coins with the image of Kenyatta were issued in 2005. In 2010, Section 231(4) of the [[Constitution of Kenya|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.<ref>[http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=207673#LinkTarget_17054 The Constitution of Kenya of 2010; Section 231(4) on the Central Bank of Kenya] [[World Intellectual Property Organization]] (www.wipo.int). Retrieved 2013-09-27.</ref> A new series of coins was issued on 11 December 2018, in denominations of {{shilingi|1}}, {{shilingi|5}}, {{shilingi|10}} and {{shilingi|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.<ref>[http://news.coinupdate.com/kenya-new-circulation-coin-series-introduced-by-president/ Kenya: New circulation coin series introduced by president] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923153840/https://news.coinupdate.com/kenya-new-circulation-coin-series-introduced-by-president/ |date=23 September 2020 }}, [[Coin Update]] (news.coinupdate.com). 27 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.</ref> The new series of coins is designed to be more recognisable for visually impaired people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blindcoincollector.com/2019/05/11/kenya-makes-coins-accessible-for-the-visually-impaired/|title=Kenya makes coins accessible for the visually impaired|date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
! colspan="8" |Coins of the Kenyan shilling (2018 issues)
|-
!rowspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value !!colspan="4"| Technical parameters !! colspan="2" | Description 
|-
! Diameter !! Mass !! Composition !! Edge !! Obverse !! Reverse
|- 
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| 
| {{shilingi|1}} || 23.9&nbsp;mm || 5.5&nbsp;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
|-
|- 
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| 
| {{shilingi|5}} || 19.5&nbsp;mm || 3.75&nbsp;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
|-
|- 
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| 
| {{shilingi|10}} || 23&nbsp;mm || 5&nbsp;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
|-
|- 
|  style="text-align:center; background:#000;"| 
| {{shilingi|20}} || 26&nbsp;mm || 9&nbsp;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
|-
|}

===Phenomenon of traders rejecting lower denomination coins===
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=For many rural small traders, the one shilling coin no longer counts |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/markets/for-many-rural-small-traders-the-one-shilling-coin-no-longer-counts-2097954 |website=Business Daily |date=5 October 2015 |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sh1bn in coins that Kenyans have ignored |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/data-hub/sh1bn-in-coins-that-kenyans-have-ignored-3358904 |website=Business Daily |date=12 April 2021 |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Are 50 cent and one shilling coins on the way out? |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/busia/article/1144010692/are-50-cent-and-one-shilling-coins-on-the-way-out |website=Standard Digital |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>

=== Banknotes ===

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.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Linzmayer | first1 = Owen | title = The Banknote Book | chapter = Kenya | publisher = BanknoteNews.com | year = 2012 | location = San Francisco, CA | url = http://www.banknotebook.com}}</ref>

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/=).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2019/06/central-bank-unveils-new-generation-banknotes-to-curb-fraud/|title=Central Bank unveils new generation banknotes to curb fraud|date=1 June 2019|publisher=Capital News Kenya}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.centralbank.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/New-Generation-Banknotes-Pamphlet.pdf|title=New Generation Banknotes Pamphlet|date=1 June 2019|publisher=Central Bank of Kenya}}</ref>

=== 2024 series banknotes ===

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 Kenya Notes Edition |url=https://www.centralbank.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/KES-1000-Currency-Poster.pdf |website=Central Bank of Kenya |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mutai |first1=Edwin |title=CBK inks Sh14bn deal with German bank notes printer |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/cbk-inks-sh14bn-deal-with-german-bank-notes-printer-4733472 |website=Business Daily |date=21 August 2024 |publisher=Nation Media Group |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Odhiambo |first1=Moses |title=Questions galore as CBK defends Sh14bn new currency printing tender |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-08-22-questions-galore-as-cbk-defends-sh14bn-new-currency-printing-tender/ |website=The Star |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan=5| Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (1996 "Arap Moi" issue)
|-
! Image !! Denomination !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Watermark
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Kenyan 20 Shilling Note.jpg|thumb]]
| 20/=
| [[List of heads of state of Kenya|President]] [[Daniel arap Moi|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
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan=5| Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2004 "Jomo Kenyatta" issue (to be withdrawn from circulation))
|-
! Image !! Denomination !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Watermark
|-
| style="text-align=center;" | [[File:KES0050v-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|50}}
| [[List of heads of state of Kenya|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
|-
| style="text-align=center;" | [[File:KES0100v-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|100}}
| President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya
| Kenyatta statue; tower
| Lion's head and electrotype 100
|-
|
| {{shilingi|200}}
| President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya
| Cotton harvest
| Lion's head and electrotype 200
|-
|
| {{shilingi|500}}
| President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya
| Parliament building, Nairobi
| Lion's head and electrotype 500
|-
| style="text-align=center;" | [[File:KES1000v-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|1,000}}
| President Jomo Kenyatta; Coat of arms of Kenya
| Elephants
| Lion's head and electrotype 1000
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan=7| Banknotes of the Kenyan shilling (2019 issue (current issue))
|-
! colspan=2 | Image !! Denomination !! Main Colour !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Watermark
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-50-Shillings-Observe-sample.png|145x145px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-50-Shillings-Reverse-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|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
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-100-Shillings-Observe.png|145x145px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-100-Shillings-Reverse.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|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
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-200-Shillings-Observe-sample.png|145x145px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-200-Shillings-Reverse-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|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
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-500-Shillings-Observe-sample.png|145x145px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-500-Shillings-Reverse-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|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
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-1000-Shillings-Observe-sample.png|145x145px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:New-Generation-1000-Shillings-Reverse-sample.png|145x145px]]
| {{shilingi|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
|-
|}

==Exchange rate==
The current exchange rate is readily obtainable from services such as those in the table below: <!-- Please do not add the current exchange rate: Wikipedia is not a news paper. But major events, such as a currency crisis (if they happen and only if  defined as such by reliable sources) should certainly be added. -->
{{Exchange rate|KES}}

==See also==
* [[Economy of Kenya]]
* [[Ugandan shilling]]
* [[Tanzanian shilling]]
* [[Shilingi (disambiguation)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.centralbank.go.ke/ Official website of the Central Bank of Kenya]

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|currency=[[East African shilling]]|reason=currency independence|ratio=at par|note=independent shilling introduced in 1966, but EA shilling not demonetised until 1969}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Kenya]]|start=1966}}
{{n-after}}
{{n-end}}

{{Economy of Kenya}}
{{Kenya topics}}
{{Currencies of Africa}}
{{Shilling}}
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[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Currencies of Africa]]
[[Category:Currencies of Kenya]]
[[Category:Economy of Kenya|shilling]]
[[Category:Currencies introduced in 1966]]
[[Category:Shillings]]