Kenyan Shilling · KSh · Official currency of Kenya
The Kenyan shilling (KSh) was introduced in 1966, replacing the East African shilling. In 2019, Kenya carried out a currency reform that invalidated all old notes and replaced them with new ones, aimed at flushing out illicitly held cash.
Five denominations circulate: KSh50, KSh100, KSh200, KSh500, and KSh1,000. Starting with the 2019 redesign, the portrait of Kenya's first president was removed in favor of designs centered on wildlife and landscapes.
Kenya is a world leader in mobile money services like M-Pesa, and locals often use it more than cash. Travelers can also get a local SIM and use M-Pesa, but it's still worth carrying some cash for tourist sites and small shops. Exchanging at a bank or licensed money changer in central Nairobi usually gets a better rate than at the airport.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Central Bank of Kenya's official page.
See Kenyan Shilling banknotes at today's exchange rate →