Kenyan Valentine's Day Sees a Shift from Flowers to Cash Bouquets

Sun Feb 15 2026 01:05:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

This Valentine's Day, a growing trend in Kenya sees couples exchanging money instead of traditional flowers, raising concerns from central banks about the impact on currency integrity.

In Kenya, Valentine's Day is seeing a new trend where cash bouquets, crafted from folded banknotes, are replacing traditional flower arrangements. While many embrace this modern gift, central banks have issued warnings regarding the damaging practices involved in creating these bouquets. Critics argue that this trend reflects a materialistic approach to romance, sparking a mixed reception among the public.

For as long as many residents of Nairobi can remember, the Kenyan capital has been awash with red every 14 February.

On Valentine's Day, people are dressed in red, the colour of love and romance, or are carrying red roses.

Traders are quick to cash in, selling fresh blooms from local farms, as Kenya is one of the world's top producers of cut flowers.

Recently though, instead of the soft red petals, some people have been opting for the brown, blue or purple of crisp banknotes, folded, rolled or fastened together into floral-like bouquets.

The trend has spread to other African countries and has become so pervasive that it has drawn the concern of central banks in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana and Namibia.

They have all issued public warnings against damaging or defacing banknotes when making these bouquets of cash.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) says that in many instances, banknotes are glued, taped, stapled, pinned or otherwise affixed. Damaged notes can then be rejected by automated teller machines (ATMs) and cash‑sorting equipment, causing them to be withdrawn from circulation, at a cost to the taxpayer.

In its notice, the CBK said it was not opposed to the use of cash gifts - only to practices that damaged notes - an offence that could lead to creators of money bouquets being jailed for up to seven years.

Cash bouquets have been popularised by celebrities and online influencers, who often share videos of themselves presenting such gifts. The celebrations are not limited to Valentine's Day - they extend to birthdays and other special occasions, meaning money bouquets are in demand throughout the year.

The bouquets come in various designs, with creators arranging the banknotes to suit the taste and budget of each customer. While many are created in floral designs, or a mix of flowers and money with elegant wrappings, they can also be part of cake designs or be given in gift boxes.

Muthoni, a florist at the Gift and Flowers shop in Nairobi, reports a rising trend in money bouquets over the last two years, receiving orders of 15 to 20 bouquets daily despite the warnings against damaging cash.

Economists and critics argue that this trend reflects a more materialistic approach to love, with some preferring the romantic gesture of giving flowers. Despite warnings and divided opinions, the allure of cash bouquets remains strong as they symbolize modern gifting.