1978 Kenya 5 Shillings Banknote for Sale – Honoring Jomo Kenyatta and Kenya’s Agrarian Foundations

Issued by the Central Bank of Kenya (Banki Kuu ya Kenya) in 1978, this 5 Shillings banknote marks the final year of President Jomo Kenyatta’s leadership and the closing chapter of Kenya’s first post-independence currency series. It reflects the country’s commitment to agricultural development and national unity during a transformative era.


Key Features & Historical Significance

Issuer: Central Bank of Kenya (Banki Kuu ya Kenya)
Denomination: 5 Shillings
Year of Issue: 1978
Pick Number: P-8d
Series: 1966–1978 Issue
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, UK
Size: Approx. 135 × 70 mm
Material: Paper banknote with multicolor underprint
Signatories: Duncan Ndegwa (Governor)
Watermark: Lion’s head

Design Features

Obverse

Portrait of President Jomo Kenyatta at right
Central image of the Kenyan coat of arms
Text in English and Swahili: “BANKI KUU YA KENYA – CENTRAL BANK OF KENYA – LEGAL TENDER FOR FIVE SHILLINGS”
Color scheme: Deep red, brown, and green tones

Reverse

Depiction of coffee harvesting—workers collecting beans in baskets
Symbolizes Kenya’s agricultural strength and export economy
Text: “FIVE SHILLINGS” in Latin script

Why Collect This Banknote?

The 1978 5 Shillings note is a historically significant artifact from Kenya’s foundational years. Featuring Jomo Kenyatta, it commemorates the legacy of the country’s first president and its agrarian economy. The reverse imagery of coffee harvesting reflects Kenya’s global trade role and rural development priorities. With its compact format, vibrant design, and transitional significance, this note is a valuable addition for collectors of African independence-era currency, presidential iconography, and agricultural symbolism.