The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has opened a public tender inviting eligible firms to purchase and melt 281 tonnes of worn and damaged coins that are no longer suitable for circulation. The disposal exercise forms part of the bank’s routine currency management and asset disposal programme, aimed at maintaining the quality and integrity of coins in circulation.
Who Can Apply
According to the tender notice, CBK is targeting metal smelting companies and coin minting firms with the technical capacity to handle large-scale industrial melting. Interested bidders are required to meet strict eligibility criteria, including proven experience in smelting projects of a similar scale and ownership of appropriate industrial equipment.
Coin Destruction Under Supervision
The coins, described as mutilated and heavily worn, must be destroyed under CBK supervision to ensure they are completely rendered unusable. The successful bidder will be responsible for loading, transporting, and smelting the coins from CBK storage facilities. Firms interested in participating have been invited to inspect coin samples at the CBK head office before submitting their bids.
Where the Coins Are Stored
Most of the coins earmarked for disposal are held at the CBK Mombasa branch, which stores approximately 196 tonnes. The Nairobi head office holds about 76 tonnes, while the Kisumu branch stores roughly 9 tonnes.
Tender Timelines
Bids for the tender are expected to close on January 22, 2026, coming shortly after CBK concluded a separate three-year tender for the minting of new coins. The move signals the central bank’s intention to replace ageing coins with new stock once the disposal process is completed.
Valuable Metals to Be Recovered
The coins contain recoverable metals such as copper, nickel, aluminium, steel, bronze, and brass, which can be recycled and repurposed for industrial use. While CBK has not disclosed the exact number of coins being sold, it noted that current denominations weigh between 3.75 grammes and nine grammes. The heaviest coin ever circulated in Kenya remains the 1985 Sh5 coin, which weighed 13.5 grammes and was minted in the United Kingdom.
Billions in Coins Held by CBK
As of June 2025, CBK held coins valued at Sh11.37 billion, largely made up of Sh20, Sh10, and Sh5 denominations. Sh20 coins accounted for Sh4 billion, Sh10 coins Sh4.02 billion, and Sh5 coins Sh1.95 billion. Despite withdrawing old coins, CBK has reaffirmed its commitment to minting new currency to ensure there is sufficient supply to meet circulation needs across the country.
