Romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches, but the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has issued a stern warning that could turn your grand romantic gesture into a criminal case. The regulator has flagged the trendy "money bouquets" as a violation of the law, putting lovers and florists on notice: deface the shilling, and you might face the judge.

In recent years, social media has been flooded with images of crisp thousand-shilling notes folded into roses, stapled into wreaths, or glued onto cards. It looks opulent, it screams wealth, and according to the CBK, it is illegal. In a public notice issued today, the bank reminded Kenyans that the currency is a symbol of national sovereignty and a tool of trade, not a craft supply for Instagram likes.

The Law vs. The Hype

The practice violates Section 367 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes the willful mutilation, defacement, or impairment of currency. When you fold a note tightly to make a petal, or worse, use glue and staples to hold it in place, you are rendering that note unfit for circulation. The CBK’s machines, designed to sort and count billions of shillings, jam when they encounter these deformed notes.

"Such practices compromise the integrity of the Kenya Shilling banknotes," the CBK stated. The cost of replacing these damaged notes runs into millions of shillings annually—money that comes from the taxpayer’s pocket. Essentially, your "rich" gift is making the country poorer.

• The Penalty: While enforcement has been lax in the past, the specific warning days before Valentine's implies a crackdown. Conviction can carry a fine or imprisonment. Is a bouquet worth a criminal record?
• The Alternative: The CBK does not object to cash gifts. They simply ask that you give the money in an envelope or via digital transfer. "Banknotes should remain in a condition that allows them to circulate freely," the regulator advised.

A Cultural Clash

This warning highlights a clash between modern "flex culture" and conservative monetary policy. In Nigeria, authorities have cracked down on "spraying" money at parties for similar reasons. Kenya seems to be following suit. The display of cash as an ornament is seen as disrespectful to the economy, especially at a time when many are struggling to earn even a few of those notes.

Florists and gift shops in Nairobi, who have been charging a premium for assembling these money bouquets, now face a dilemma. Continuing the trade could invite a raid. For the lovers planning to wow their partners this February 14th, the message is clear: Say it with flowers, say it with chocolate, but if you say it with cash, keep the notes flat and clean.

As the date draws near, the CBK is watching. Don't let your love story end in a police station because you stapled a portrait of Jomo Kenyatta to a rose stem.