CBK governor Patrick Njoroge has clarified that the Swahili name for ‘bank’ as appearing on Kenyan currency is ‘Banki’, insisting that it is not a grammatical error.
Speaking during a press briefing, Njoroge said the name ‘Banki’ was selected by the Late Tom Mboya and John Michuki who were minister for Commerce and PS Treasury respectively.
He said Kenya has been using the Swahili word consistently on notes and that there is no cause to worry.
‘Bank is an English word and not Swahili. Kenya has been using it since 1966,’ Njoroge said.
Yesterday, Kenyans on Twitter debated about the correct Swahili word for Bank, with some criticising CBK for getting it wrong.
Ganja president! Politician arrested in Marsabit with 445kgs of bhang
Check out Kenyan reactions on Twitter.
Is the Swahili word for BANK, Banki or Benki.
Let’s settle this! pic.twitter.com/IxlIbVh0MU— Nyagathanga, Kensington Kirigwi. (@kirigwi) June 19, 2019
“Benki” “Banki” i think we should use whichever letter we want. Its our money sio pesa ya Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/8eRXm3j7Nw
— Richard james (@Richard89310274) June 19, 2019
The CBK is very right in translating “Bank” to banki instead of Benki. We will be having a constant and eternal reminder of the weed called bangi that Kenya’s policy implementers are on.
— Dan Amikelo (@amikelo1) June 19, 2019
Whereas, “banki” is used and available in dictionaries, it is “Benki” that is common and preferred by Kiswahili speakers @SwahiliSanifu pic.twitter.com/IsoEc9QVhp
— Kimani Njogu (@kimaniwanjogu) June 19, 2019