The Central Bank of Kenya has officially saved us singles this Valentine’s Day 2026. Kenyans who believe love is best expressed by stapling money to roses are going to face the law.

In a stern public notice issued on February 2, 2026, CBK warned against the growing trend of turning Kenya Shilling banknotes into decorative cash flower bouquets, ornamental displays, and celebration props. The Bank says while it may look romantic, it’s destructive, costly, and illegal.

According to CBK, most of these money bouquets involve folding, rolling, gluing, pinning, stapling, or taping banknotes.

Those creative touches quietly destroy the integrity of the currency. Adhesives and metal pins damage notes, making them unfit for circulation.

Damaged notes jam ATMs, confuse cash-counting machines, and are rejected by banks at high rates.

In short, taxpayers end up paying for someone else’s romantic flex. Your Valentine’s bouquet may be personal, but the bill is national.

CBK was careful to clarify that gifting cash itself is perfectly legal. What crosses the line is altering or defacing it. Section 367 of the Penal Code expressly prohibits defacing, mutilating, or impairing currency.

In legal terms, that money bouquet held together with glue and pins could qualify as evidence.

The warning effectively turns a popular trend into a legal risk, just weeks before Valentine’s Day. CBK is urging Kenyans to adopt non-damaging ways of gifting money and to treat the Shilling with basic respect. Envelopes exist. Mobile money exists. Turning cash into craft projects should not.

Beyond the law, the message cuts deeper. And I know ladies will not agree, but flashy cash bouquets are being used to compensate for a lack of thoughtfulness.

Dinner reservations, a jar of words of affirmation, effort, and intention do not violate the Penal Code. May all the men say, Aye? Hehe.

CBK’s message is simple. Celebrate your loved ones, but do not vandalize the Kenya Shillings legal tender.