Senate to question CBK boss over currency change delay

Senators have summoned Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge over failure to replace first President Jomo Kenyatta’s image on the currency, five years since the new Constitution was promulgated.

They have also warned the governor that he risks impeachment for violating the supreme law, which prohibits the portrait of an individual on the currency.

Dr Njoroge has been asked to appear before the House on Thursday to explain why the constitutional provision is yet to be adhered to.

The governor gave the House an unsatisfactory explanation last week, prompting members to demand that he appears before them for a one-on-one questioning over the matter.

In a statement to the House last Wednesday, Dr Njoroge said Central Bank had begun developing the new currency, which will not have former President Jomo Kenyatta’s name or image but did not say when the new notes and coins would be rolled out.

“The Central Bank of Kenya has embarked on the process of developing new currency as required by the Constitution. It will be appreciated that the process is very technical and complex and also involves public participation, which the governor confirms has already been undertaken,” said the CBK boss.

This explanation did not go down well with the senators, who demanded to be told when the new currency would be in place and why its introduction had been delayed.

The matter was taken to the House by Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula, who demanded to know what the CBK was doing to ensure that new notes were printed and circulated as demanded by the Constitution.

The Senate Finance Committee chaired by Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow was tasked to find out why the new money had not been printed.

“This is a serious matter. I am not satisfied with the answer given. We should be told when we will have the new notes,” said Mr Wetang’ula when the statement was read to the House.