Using currency images or videos for any purpose without CBK’s approval is illegal. This I know is news to many Kenyans who have always been found flossing with money on their social media.

It is almost impossible to live a day without coming across a social media post with images of money or a video promo where money is being used. Talk of betting adverts, a film, a group of young people having fun in a club, just to mention a few instances

Advertisements or other promotional materials displaying images of money also needs to seek approval with the Bank to be able to do so.

Young Kenyans are used to displaying money images every now and then- at times complaining of brokenness, other times boasting of affluence (just for fun).

Artists have also perfected the art in their music where they never shoot a single video without some display of cash images. This is common in secular music though you might still see it in some gospel music.

An example is a church poster that aroused netizens’ concerns greatly some days ago. The pastor was inviting believers to a new currency dedication service.

The problem is that the poster had images of the current (new) currency. This poster led to the pastor being required to apologize which he did via his social media account.

Individuals are now notified that it is prohibited to post pictures or videos of money, whether it is the new currency or the old ones.

If you must use images or videos of the Kenyan currency, then you must get an approval from the Central Bank (CBK).

CBK, the Copyright owner of money (images) tweeted on July 5, indicating the regulations regarding the use of money images or videos. Most of us Kenyans didn’t know that there was an existing section of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (Cap. 491).

See what the section indicates:

If you want to use cash or images of cash for whatever the purpose, then you must seek an approval from the CBK in writing.

In this application, you will be required to provide:

• Full names and address
• Your nationality
• Information relating to the manner and purpose for which the images are intended to be used
• Specimen of the works over which such use is intended
• A declaration that such use would not infringe on the Bank’s copyright over the cash

Upon application, CBK will notify the applicant of their decision in 14 days. The Bank has no obligation to give any reason as to why a certain decision was made.

What happens when you fail to comply with the above?

Failure to comply with all the above directives will attract a penalty of Kshs. 100,000, payable to the Bank.

In a situation where one does not remedy the breach within the time specified by the Bank, a daily surcharge of Kshs. 10,000 will be charged.

This fine is in addition to any criminal sanctions imposed under any law.

The use of currency images and videos should decrease in this second half of the year. CBK remains the copyright owner of Kenyan currency and hence the only one with the right to use cash images. Now you understand why this whole article does not have any cash image in it. You also need to be as careful.