Section Of Kenyans Admit They Miss Old Currency Notes: "Hizi Za Wanyama Zinakimbia Sana"

• Kenyan social media users expressed longing for old currency notes and recalled their strong purchasing power and value
• Many Kenyans recalled days when the old currency notes had higher value, saying the KSh 500 note was enough to buy basic items
• Many associated the old notes with financial ease and stability in the economy as compared to current times when inflation continues to rise

A section of Kenyans on social media has admitted that they miss old currency notes while reminiscing about their strong purchasing power, which gave them more value back then.

Coming at a time when many Kenyans were grappling to stay afloat due to inflation, many recounted the days when they got more done using the old currency notes and admitted they would want them back in circulation.

In funny comments on social media, many said they would want to have the old currency notes back due to their value and aesthetics.

Matoke Justine said:

"I miss those days when you would have this note, enough to last a week."

Joyce Maich said:

I remember whenever I had this old KSh 500 note, I would managed to buy five kilograms of maize flour, and I would have some change left."

Tia Ty said:

"I wish this remained. The current KSh 500 just diminishes after buying an onion."

Deryk Deryk said:

"Since they inserted animals in the notes, they run too fast."

Edduh Mitch said:

"Life hasn't been the same since it left."

When were old currency notes phased out?

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta launched the current generation banknotes in 2019 with new features to replace the old notes.

While unveiling them, then-Central Bank Governor Patrick Njoroge announced the banknotes would contain each of the big five animals, including the elephant, lion, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard.

The old notes bore the images of late former presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi. They existed when the Kenyan shilling traded at below KSh 100 against the dollar. In 2019, the dollar was trading at around KSh 100 to KSh 104 against the US dollar.

However, with the high cost of living, one would need more than KSh 500 to purchase basic food commodities such as a two-kilogram packet of maize flour, sugar and cooking oil.

Kenyatta University reviews food prices in cafeteria

On Wednesday, August 23, the registrar's office at Kenyatta University reviewed the prices of foods served in the students' kitchen.

The internal memo from the university registrar stated that the new food prices would take effect from the 2023/24 new academic year.

The memo listed over 25 types of foods and drinks with reviewed prices different from the usual price list.

Reacting to the price list on Facebook under a post by satirist Gabriel Oguda, Nyambaka Nyambaka questioned the size of the food per plate.