New currency: Three people busted with Ksh.100K fake notes in Embu

Police in Embu North have arrested three suspects who were found with fake Ksh. 100,000 notes.

Embu North Sub County Commander Godfrey Kere said the three suspects were busted following a tip off from residents in Manyatta trading market.

They were taken to Manyatta Police Station and will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.

The police boss warned that the suspects intended to use the fake notes to swindle residents who may not be able to distinguish security features of the new currency notes.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) introduced the new currency during the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2019.

“To identify a genuine bank note; feel, look and tilt it. If you run your fingers over the note, you will feel the raised print on Kenya and also on the value,” reads a promo video from CBK.

If you hold up the note to the light, a watermark of a lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the bank note will appear.

“The notes also have a security thread which will appear as a continuous line.

“If you tilt at an angle, the thread changes colour from red to green on all the bank notes but for the Ksh.200, Ksh.500 and Ksh.1000, a rainbow colour appears on the thread when tilted.

“If you tilt the back of the note at an angle, you will see a golden band showing the value.”

Kenyans have until October 1 to exchange old Ksh. 1000 notes with the new one above from the CBK.