Kenya: Safaricom awards five customers in its campaign

Safaricom has awarded five more winners with Ksh. 1 million each in the ongoing nationwide Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa campaign. The winners were announced during an award ceremony held in Mtwapa, Kilifi County. This marks the fifth week of the promotion, bringing the total number of weekly millionaires to 25.

In addition to the cash prize, each winner received an extra Ksh. 250,000 from the Safaricom Foundation to fund a community project of their choice. The latest recipients of the awards include Samuel Kuria from Nairobi, Emmanuel Mbogo from Murang’a, Kevin Bitienyi from Kakamega, Geoffrey Langat from Mulot, and Tabu Ndonya from Mariakani in Mombasa County.

During the ceremony, Tabu Ndonya, a 45-year-old mother of four from Mariakani, expressed her gratitude upon receiving her Ksh. 1 million cheque. She shared that the prize money would significantly aid her in supporting her family, as she has struggled to provide for her children’s basic needs due to her limited income as a house manager. Ndonya also revealed her plans to use the additional Ksh. 250,000 to support her local dispensary.

Another winner, 18-year-old Emmanuel Mbogo from Murang’a, was thrilled by the announcement. After completing high school last year, Mbogo’s plans for further education were halted due to financial constraints. With his winnings, he now intends to pursue a course in plumbing, which will allow him to secure a job and support his family.

Similar sentiments about school fees and returning to education were echoed by Samuel Kuria, a part-time lecturer at a private university in the country. Samuel said, “We are living in tough economic times, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. I feel this is a great initiative by Safaricom to support and transform Kenyans’ lives. With this money, my hopes of going back to school to pursue my PhD have come true, and I can expand my poultry project, which I have partnered with my mum.”

Kevin Bitienyi, a 33-year-old casual worker from Shimanyiro, Kakamega County, could not hide his happiness after being awarded the cheque. “I have worked as a casual labourer, but from today I will become self-employed as I plan to venture into serious agricultural business to grow myself and support my family. I feel my life is going to change tremendously; I will never be the same,” said Mr. Bitienyi.

To participate in the campaign, customers need to transact on M-PESA or purchase any Safaricom Bundles. For every Ksh. 200 transacted on M-PESA and any Bundles purchase of Ksh. 20 and above, customers will earn an entry into the weekly draw. Qualifying M-PESA transactions include Send Money (P2P), Lipa na M-PESA, any transaction made through the M-PESA app, My Safaricom app, or by dialing *444#, *544# or *334#.