The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced that it is in the process of releasing updated banknotes for smaller denominations, including the Sh50, Sh100, Sh200, and Sh500 notes. This follows the earlier release of the Sh1,000 denomination, which has already begun circulating. The new banknotes will feature significant updates, including the addition of new security features designed to prevent counterfeiting and improve the durability and usability of the currency.

One of the most notable changes is the inclusion of new signatures on the notes. The signatures of CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo will be featured on the updated banknotes. Additionally, the year of print 2024 will be marked on the notes, signifying the current series. Another major enhancement to the new banknotes is the introduction of advanced security threads. These threads are designed with denomination-specific color-changing effects, which will make the banknotes more secure and harder to forge.

The release of the new notes is part of CBK’s ongoing efforts to modernize Kenya’s currency and strengthen its security measures. This move also aligns with the global trend of central banks upgrading banknotes to keep pace with technological advancements in printing and security. By incorporating such sophisticated features, the CBK aims to improve public confidence in the Kenyan shilling and protect the economy from the impact of counterfeit currency. With the gradual rollout of these new denominations, the CBK hopes to ensure a more secure and efficient currency system for the country’s growing economy.

In a surprising turn of events, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has rejected a Sh5.6 million donation made by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a visit to Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi on Sunday.

The donation, which was meant to support the church’s activities, including a choir and construction projects, has sparked significant attention and raised questions about the relationship between the church and the state.

During their visit, President Ruto made a substantial contribution of Sh600,000 to the church’s choir and Sh2 million for the construction of the Father’s House, a key project for the church. He also pledged an additional Sh3 million and promised to provide a parish bus to help with transportation needs. Governor Sakaja, in turn, donated Sh200,000, adding his support to the church’s initiatives. The donation was warmly received at the time, with both leaders being praised for their generosity towards the Catholic community.

However, the KCCB, which oversees Catholic affairs in the country, issued a statement on Monday rejecting the donation. Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Anyolo, the chairman of the bishops’ conference, explained that while the church appreciated the leaders’ goodwill, it could not accept the funds due to concerns over maintaining the independence and autonomy of the church from the government.

The KCCB emphasized the importance of keeping the church separate from political influence, particularly in light of the large amounts of money donated by the government officials.

Politicians are most welcome to attend Church for their spiritual nourishment, but they are encouraged to do so as ordinary Christians, without leveraging their political gain,” said Anyolo.

As part of their response, the KCCB announced that any funds already received would be returned to the donors. The decision has stirred debate across the country, with some applauding the church for taking a stand against political interference, while others questioned whether such a gesture might alienate political leaders who have shown support to religious institutions.

This incident highlights the ongoing discussion about the role of the church in politics, particularly in a country where religious leaders often engage with political figures to address societal issues. The KCCB’s rejection of the donation underscores the need for careful navigation of the boundary between religious support and political involvement.

The ongoing strike by university lecturers has left students stranded at home, with no resolution in sight. A recent attempt to resolve the impasse failed once again when a meeting convened by the National Assembly Committee on Education was abruptly called off. The meeting was intended to discuss the strike and assess the government’s commitment to investing Ksh. 4.3 billion to reopen universities and facilitate the return of students to class. However, the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) failed to provide the required documents to prove that the government was prepared to make the necessary financial commitment.

Fred Simiyu Baraza, the Chairman of the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), revealed that the council had managed to secure Ksh. 1.6 billion as part of an attempt to resolve the ongoing strike by university lecturers. This amount was offered as part of efforts to meet the financial requirements needed to implement the “Back to Work” formula, a proposal aimed at ending the deadlock and reopening universities. However, the lecturers’ unions rejected the Ksh. 1.6 billion, arguing that it was insufficient to meet their demands. The unions are insisting on a larger sum of Ksh. 9.6 billion, which they argue is necessary to fully implement the agreed-upon formula and address issues related to lecturers’ pay and working conditions.

The committee, led by Chairman Julius Melly, was forced to summon three key Cabinet Secretaries to address the issue. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Magoha, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, and National Treasury CS John Mbadi have been asked to appear before the committee next week.

They are expected to provide detailed explanations on the government’s efforts to resolve the strike and outline concrete steps to bring lecturers back to work and ensure that students can resume their studies.

The prolonged strike has caused significant disruption to university education, leaving students with an uncertain academic future. With universities still closed and no clear resolution in sight, students are facing delays in their studies. The situation is further complicated by the failure of the government and the lecturers’ union to reach an agreement on key issues, including funding and lecturers’ pay.

Until the dispute is resolved, students will continue to remain at home, and the government faces mounting pressure to take decisive action to end the strike and restore normalcy to university education. The upcoming appearance of the Cabinet Secretaries is seen as a critical step in addressing the crisis.