Kenyans drop flowers for Valentine's bouquets of cash. Not everyone is impressed

In Kenya, cash bouquets have become a popular alternative to flowers for Valentine's Day and other celebrations. This trend, where banknotes are arranged into floral designs, has spread across several African countries. However, central banks in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, and Namibia have issued warnings against damaging banknotes in the process of creating these bouquets. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) notes that gluing, taping, or stapling banknotes damages them, causing issues with ATMs and requiring their removal from circulation. While the CBK doesn't oppose cash gifts, damaging currency is illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Florists in Nairobi report high demand for cash bouquets, with orders ranging from 1,000 to over a million shillings.

Ahead of Valentine's Day, the Central Bank of Kenya has banned the creation and sale of bouquets made from cash. These money bouquets, popular in Kenya and other parts of East Africa and Asia, involve folding banknotes into floral arrangements. The bouquets had become a popular gift, offering both a symbol of love and a practical monetary value. The ban is due to the practice being considered a defacement of currency. The cash bouquets had also become a profitable revenue stream for Kenyan flower sellers, who often operate online and deliver via motorcycle. Sellers report that cash bouquets can be twice as profitable as traditional flower arrangements.