That viral cash bouquet could land you in trouble.

The Central Bank of Kenya has warned the public against using Kenyan shilling banknotes for decorative purposes, following a growing trend of cash bouquets shared widely on social media.

In a statement issued on Monday, February 2, CBK said it had observed more people folding, rolling, pinning or gluing banknotes into flower-like arrangements for celebrations and romantic gestures.

“The Central Bank of Kenya has noted a growing trend in the use of Kenya Shilling banknotes for decorative and celebratory purposes,” the bank said. “This includes cash flower bouquets and other ornamental displays.”

CBK said while the gesture may look harmless, the practice damages currency and disrupts the machines that handle cash every day. According to the bank, altered notes often jam or are rejected by ATMs, counting machines and sorting systems.

That damage shortens the lifespan of banknotes and forces early replacement, pushing up costs that are ultimately borne by the public.

The bank was clear that giving cash as a gift is not banned. The problem, it said, is how the money is handled.

“CBK does not object to the use of cash as a gift,” the statement read. “However, such use should not involve any action that alters, damages or defaces banknotes.”

Currency, the bank noted, must remain fit for circulation so it can function properly as a means of exchange and a store of value.

CBK also reminded Kenyans that the law is not on the side of decorative cash displays. Section 367 of the Penal Code makes it an offence to deface, mutilate or impair currency issued by a lawful authority.

Anyone who willfully damages banknotes, the bank warned, risks facing legal consequences.

The regulator urged the public to find alternative ways of presenting monetary gifts that do not involve damaging notes, and to help protect the quality of Kenya’s currency.

For now, the message is simple: romance is welcome, but keep the shillings flat.