KENYAN ARTIST DESIGNS HIS OWN NEW BANKNOTES

Radio Africa's Dicky Hockie did not expect as much attention as he has received when he attempted designing new notes for Kenya.

It was "trial and error", the digital department employee says, but there has been excitement on social media.

"I got the idea after seeing leaked notes designed a few weeks ago. I thought they could be better so I noted down the idea and worked on them during the Christmas break," he says.

In an interview on Thursday, Dicky says he did it for fun and that he did not have sketches of bank notes.

"It was completely trial and error. I had never done this before so it was a combination of thorough research and guess-work."

But the 30-year-old said his designs were a major improvement from what the country currently uses.

"I liked them. I am an artist ... a graphic designer ... I wasn't joking. I really tried to make the best-looking notes I could ... I did the designs in my free time just for fun."

The designs have pictures of wildlife and athletes, tourism and athletics being two of Kenya's top sectors.

Of these choices, the designer says: "Putting a fisi (hyena) on the notes is funny but I really don't think we should do it just for laughs."

Dicky, who shared the designs on social media on Wednesday, notes: "This is not legal tender and it is not sanctioned by CBK or the government."

His designs bear close resemblance to international currencies such as the Euro and may have piled pressure for CBK to do a good job.

Dicky thanked the public for their comments on what he terms a "truly Kenyan" project.

"I am not famous. I am however glad that Kenyans appreciated the project and began to reflect on what they consider truly Kenyan," he says.

He says he would be astonished if Central Bank adopted the designs but adds he would take the opportunity to contribute.

"That would be an incredible surprise and I would be honoured to contribute."

CBK governor Patrick Njoroge said the new generation currency will be issued before the end of May 2018.

To read the complete article, see:
Kenyan designer dares CBK to unveil 'real notes' as sketches go viral (https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/01/04/kenyan-designer-dares-cbk-to-unveil-real-notes-as-sketches-go-viral_c1693345)

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