The Kenyan Shilling, the currency in Kenya (English Kenya). The abbreviation is K.Sh. The ISO 4217 code for the Kenyan shilling is KES. Since Kenya is under controlled floating to ensure a stable currency, the Kenyan shilling is not tied to an exchange rate. The Kenyan shilling is only used in Kenya.
The currency is divided into shillings and cents. The cents are hardly usable due to their low value. One shilling is 100 cents, and the most common coins are: 1, 5, 10 and 20 shillings. The 20 shilling coin is also called “Bob” or “Kenya Shilling”. This coin was introduced in 2003 as a commemorative coin for the 40th anniversary of Kenya’s independence. The Kenyan shilling does not only consist of coins, but also as banknotes with a value of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings.
History of the Kenyan currency
The Kenyan shilling was introduced in 1966 as the East African shilling.
On the back of the coins is the image of the first Kenyan President Jomo Kenyattas. From 1980 – 2005 the image was replaced by that of Daniel arap Moi, second President of Kenya. But the image of the first president replaced him in 2005. Jomo Kenyatta’s image was also printed on the banknotes, but was replaced by the image of Daniel Arap Moi from 1980.
The banknotes are printed in Nairobi by De La Rue. Unfortunately, inflation did not simply pass Kenya by either. The currency is subject to an inflation rate of currently 25.5 percent and this is increasing every year.
A currency converter can be used to determine the rate at which the euro or dollar can be exchanged for Kenyan shillings. Both the current exchange rate and the value of a certain euro / dollar amount will be converted into Kenya shillings.
Exchange into the currency of Kenya
Many questions are asked, where the exchange of Euros, Dollars etc. should take place. Inland in Kenya or would you prefer Germany? It should definitely take place at Kenyan airports as they have the best exchange rate.
It should be ensured that the smallest possible notes are exchanged, as these are better for payment in small markets and shops. Credit cards or other payment methods should not be used in Kenya, as credit card fraud has very high rates there.