No more excitement as public, traders cautious over money

Njue Nthia displays the fake Sh1,000 notes that he was given in Embu town on Friday. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

When it was announced that Kenyans will get a new currency, there was a frenzy.

Social media was awash with images of people flashing the first ‘new notes’ they got.

“Finally, I join the club of people with new money, I will keep it in a frame,” wrote Joseph Njenga on his Facebook post that generated comments from people who said they were waiting to finally join the list of ‘achievers’.  

Soon the excitement fizzled. People started experiencing the not so good side of the new currency.

Grace Muchiri shares how the Sh500 note faded after she failed to remove it from her trouser while doing laundry. When she tried paying for items with the money, vendors refused to take it for fear that it was fake.

“They said they have not yet known distinct features to look for in the new notes to distinguish the fake ones. They did not want to take risks,” she said.

A spot check at Gikomba market in Nairobi revealed that most traders were still skeptical about receiving the new currency. The traders would instead request to be paid with the old currency, to avoid possibility of receiving fake currency.

“The notes are confusing. It is not something we are used to, and if you are selling to many customers, you may end up mixing things up and giving someone the wrong change,” says Maria Achieng’ who sells clothes at the market.

Public Service Vehicles crew admitted that they prefer passengers to pay fare using the old currency, especially at night.

Meanwhile, police have busted a fake money syndicate in Embu town after unsuspecting residents lost their hard-earned money.

Three suspects were arrested with fake Sh100,000 in Manyatta market, Embu North.

Embu North Sub County Commander Godfrey Kere said the suspects were taken to Manyatta Police Station and will be arraigned once investigations are complete.

Last week, an elderly man from Karurina was left counting losses after he was swindled Sh1,500. Njue Nthia, a school watchman, said the man asked him for loose money which he handed over only to be given fake money in return.