As Valentine’s Day romance fills the air, lovers in Kenya have been urged to think twice before turning their affection into a potential offence.

The Central Bank of Kenya has cautioned the public against the growing trend of gifting bouquets made from Kenyan shilling banknotes, warning that such grand gestures could land sweethearts on the wrong side of the law.

In a statement issued on Monday, the bank said arranging notes into floral displays often involves glue, staples or pins, actions that “compromise the integrity” of the currency and render it unfit for circulation.

“This results in increased rejection of banknotes during processing and leads to the premature withdrawal and replacement of currency, at an avoidable cost to the public and the Bank,” the CBK said.

While the central bank stressed it has no objection to cash being given as a gift, it warned that altering or defacing banknotes is prohibited.

Under Kenya’s Penal Code, anyone found guilty of wilfully mutilating currency could face up to three months in prison, a fine of 2,000 shillings, or both.

Kenya is not alone in cracking down on such romantic excesses. In 2023, the Bank of Ghana issued a similar warning over cash hampers and bouquets, while Nigerian authorities have intensified enforcement against the public “spraying” of naira notes at celebrations, according to the BBC.

For couples keen to play it safe, there is no shortage of traditional blooms. Kenya is one of the world’s leading flower exporters, shipping about $780 million worth of cut flowers in 2024.

Roses alone account for more than 70% of the industry’s earnings, making them a fitting — and lawful — way to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day.