Activist now want former president Kenyatta’s potrait removed from notes and coins

Human Rights Activist, Okiyah Omtatah at the Milimani High Court during a past court appearance.

NAIROBI—Activist Okiya Omtatah wants the image of founding President Jomo Kenyatta removed from notes and coins within seven days.

In a letter dated September 14, the activist says the constitution prohibits the use of portraits or images of individuals on currency.

“The constitution decrees that notes and coins issued by CBK may bear images that depict or symbolise Kenya or any aspect of Kenya but shall not bear the portrait of any individual,” Omtatah said.

Okiya has given the CBK governor Patrick Njoroge seven days to comply with the law or face a suit.

“Failure on your part to respect, uphold and defend the constitution as required will necessitate our recourse at the bank’s sole risk as to cost and other consequences, to the constitutional and human rights division, for orders to compel your compliance.” the activist said.

The activist said the notes and coins should be replaced with those that do not bear the image of any individual.

All Kenyan notes and coins have Kenyatta’s image, the exception being the Sh 40 coin which has that of former President Mwai Kibaki.

“The CBK should publicly declare that it will, with immediate effect, begin withdrawing all unconstitutional currency notes and coins from circulation,” he said.

Omtatah further noted that the CBK is autonomous and shall not be under the direction or control of any person or authority in the exercise of its powers or performance of its functions.

In 2016, the CBK governor said printing notes without Kenyatta’s image would cost the government Sh18 billion.