In Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, a distinctive red hue has dominated the city's landscape every 14 February for as long as many residents can recall, a tradition that has become an integral part of the city's culture.

As people commemorate Valentine's Day, the streets are filled with individuals donning red attire or carrying red roses, embracing the symbolic color of love and romance.

Local traders capitalize on the demand for fresh flowers, leveraging Kenya's position as a leading global producer of cut flowers to offer an array of blooms to customers.

However, a newer trend has emerged, with some individuals opting for bouquets composed of folded, rolled, or fastened banknotes in various colors, rather than traditional flowers.

This phenomenon has spread to other African nations, prompting central banks in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, and Namibia to issue public warnings about the potential consequences of damaging or defacing banknotes in the process of creating these cash bouquets.

The central banks have cautioned against practices that involve gluing, taping, stapling, or pinning banknotes together, which can render them unusable.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya, banknotes are often subjected to various forms of damage, including being glued, taped, or stapled, which can compromise their integrity.

Damaged banknotes can be rejected by automated teller machines and cash-sorting equipment, resulting in significant costs to taxpayers as they are removed from circulation.

While the Central Bank of Kenya does not object to the practice of gifting cash, it has emphasized that damaging banknotes is a serious offense that can lead to imprisonment for up to seven years.

The popularity of cash bouquets can be attributed, in part, to celebrities and online influencers who often share videos of themselves presenting these unique gifts to their followers.

The demand for cash bouquets extends beyond Valentine's Day, with people also using them to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions throughout the year.

These bouquets come in a variety of designs, with creators tailoring their arrangements to suit the preferences and budgets of individual clients.

The amounts used in these bouquets can range from as little as 1,000 shillings ($8; £6) to as much as a million shillings, according to Angela Muthoni, a florist at the Gift and Flowers shop in central Nairobi.

Cash bouquets can be presented in various forms, including floral designs, combinations of flowers and money, elegant wrappings, cake designs, or gift boxes.

Muthoni reports that money bouquets have gained significant popularity over the past two years, with her shop receiving between 15 and 20 orders daily in the lead-up to Valentine's Day, despite the Central Bank's warning.

Muthoni notes that gifting cash eliminates the stress of choosing a present, as "everyone loves money," making it a convenient and appreciated gift.

Some Kenyans argue that the trend of giving money bouquets reflects a growing emphasis on materialism, where people seek to purchase love and affection rather than cultivating meaningful relationships.

Haskell Austin, a 24-year-old, attributes the phenomenon to peer pressure, preferring to give flowers as a more thoughtful and personal gesture.

Austin describes the idea of gifting money as "materialistic" and suggests that, if cash must be given, a straightforward transfer is a more practical and respectful approach.

Instead of creating elaborate bouquets, Austin recommends simply transferring funds, which he believes is a more considerate and efficient way to show appreciation.

Lynn, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment at the timing of the Central Bank's warning, as she had been looking forward to receiving a cash bouquet on Valentine's Day.

Despite the warning, Lynn notes that people remain enthusiastic about the trend, with many still eager to give and receive cash bouquets.

Nicole Rono, another resident, shares Lynn's sentiment, stating that she would prefer to receive cash, as "who doesn't love money?" and noting that flowers, while nice, are not as practical or desirable.

Benjamin Nambwaya, a university student, observes that the culture of giving money bouquets is often driven by social expectations, with women typically being the recipients.

Nambwaya believes that this trend can have negative consequences, potentially "destroying relationships" by creating unrealistic expectations and pressures to provide financial gifts.

Nambwaya prefers giving flowers, which he considers a more thoughtful and romantic gesture, allowing him to express his feelings without the burden of financial expectations.

In his view, flowers are a more appropriate way to show appreciation and affection, as they represent a small, meaningful gesture rather than a grand, expensive display.

According to economic expert Odhiambo Ramogi, the popularity of cash bouquets reflects a broader cultural shift towards a more capitalistic approach to life, where special occasions like Valentine's Day are seen as opportunities for commercialization and marketing.

Ramogi argues that this trend is driven by the influence of advertising and marketing, which often emphasizes the importance of material gifts and displays of wealth on special occasions.

For Muthoni, the decision to give cash or flowers ultimately depends on the individual's preferences and values, as people have different ways of expressing love and appreciation.

Muthoni acknowledges that, while some people may prefer more traditional or sentimental gifts, others may view money as a more practical and desirable option, as it can be used to purchase a wide range of goods and services.

In her view, the key to a successful gift is understanding the recipient's needs and preferences, and tailoring the gift accordingly, whether it be cash, flowers, or something else entirely.

The Central Bank's warning has sparked a wide range of reactions on social media, with some people praising the move as a necessary measure to prevent the damage of banknotes, while others have ridiculed it or expressed disappointment.

The debate has also inspired humorous responses, such as memes featuring bouquets made from rolled chapati bread, highlighting the creative and often humorous ways that people are responding to the trend.

On TikTok, Kenyan Scott Ian Obaro noted that the trend may have contributed to a culture of "showing off," where people feel pressure to display their wealth and status through elaborate gifts and displays.

Ramogi suggests that the preference for cash over flowers in African cultures may be due to the fact that giving flowers is a relatively foreign concept, and that many people in Kenya and other African countries would prefer to receive money as a practical way to address their needs.

According to Ramogi, the tradition of giving flowers is a Western custom that has not been widely adopted in Africa, where people often prioritize more practical and tangible gifts, such as money or other forms of material support.

Ramogi believes that the combination of this cultural preference with the growing emphasis on materialism has led to the rise of cash bouquets, where people use banknotes as a symbol of love and appreciation, rather than traditional flowers.

The intervention by Kenya's regulator, along with those in other countries, may help to slow the growth of the cash bouquet trend, as people become more aware of the potential consequences of damaging banknotes.

Muthoni is concerned that the move could have a negative impact on the livelihoods of people who have built businesses around creating cash bouquets, but she remains optimistic that there is room for innovation and adaptation in the industry.

According to her, bouquets featuring transparent pockets that can safely contain money are among her designs, and she is also exploring alternative concepts, including digital arrangements.

In response to the warning from Kenya's central bank, some individuals have opted to use US dollars instead, which would not be subject to the same restrictions.

Given the persistence of this practice, it is unlikely that the tradition of giving money bouquets will be discontinued in the near future.

For additional news and updates from Africa, visit BBCAfrica.com.