A woman who identifies herself only as Lynn is disappointed by the timing of the CBK’s caution against making cash bouquets, coming just ahead of Valentine’s Day, as she was looking forward to receiving one.
“People are still excited about the trend,” she tells the BBC at Koinange Street, a popular spot for buying flowers in Nairobi.
“I would prefer cash,” Nicole Rono tells the BBC. “Who doesn’t love money? Flowers are OK, yes, but now with what the CBK has said, you can still give cash without damaging it,” she says.
For university student Benjamin Nambwaya, the fact that women are usually the recipients is based on social expectations.
He tells the BBC that the culture of giving money bouquets is a “bad thing” and can end up “destroying relationships”, especially when it creates an expectation even when one cannot afford to give money.
He would prefer to give flowers.
“I think flowers are cool, because this is a small celebration or something just to show how how much you really adore this person,” he says.
Economic expert Odhiambo Ramogi says it is all about “our capitalistic approach to life”.
“Capitalistic societies are driven by advertising, by marketing and special days like Valentine’s are a very good opportunity.”
For Muthoni, the florist, it comes down to how someone wants to express their love.
“Love people the way they want to be loved,” she says, although she concedes that ultimately money is at the heart of it.
“You can buy a lot of things with money. You might not know what someone likes, but money is the solution.”
Discussions about money bouquets have been widespread on social media since the CBK’s warning, drawing both praise and derision.
It has sparked some humour as well, such as memes of bouquets made from rolled chapati bread, external.
