Kenyans Are Gifting Cash Bouquets for Valentine's Day, Sparking Controversy

Sun Feb 15 2026 00:55:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

On Valentine's Day in Kenya, a new trend has emerged where people present bouquets made of cash instead of traditional flowers. This practice has garnered praise and concern, especially from central banks worried about damaging banknotes.

As Valentine's Day approaches, a unique trend in Kenya has emerged where individuals opt for bouquets made of cash instead of flowers. While the popularity of cash bouquets is rising, central banks have voiced concerns about the damaging effects on banknotes used in this fashion. Some Kenyans celebrate the trend as a practical gift, while others critique it as a reflection of growing materialism in society.

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 color 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 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.

These institutions have issued public warnings against damaging or defacing banknotes when making these bouquets of cash. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has stated that in many instances, banknotes are 'glued, taped, stapled, pinned, or otherwise affixed.' Damaged notes risk being rejected by ATMs and sorting equipment, incurring a cost to taxpayers.

The CBK clarifies it is not opposed to cash gifts - only to practices damaging notes - with offenders facing up to seven years in prison. Meanwhile, cash bouquets have gained popularity through social media, particularly among celebrities and influencers, extending the demand beyond Valentine's to birthdays and other occasions.

Florists report high demand for these money arrangements, which come in various designs and values. Angela Muthoni, a florist in Nairobi, states orders have surged despite regulatory warnings, revealing a tension between tradition and modern consumerism. While some embrace cash bouquets for their practicality, others criticize them as symbols of materialism in romantic gestures.

As discussions around cash bouquets ignite social media, they highlight a cultural shift in gifting practices that underscores the balancing act between affection and financial status in personal relationships. With increasing concern from financial authorities, the future of cash bouquets remains uncertain.