The East African communication telco Safaricom has awarded 5 more customers with Ksh1 million each in the ongoing Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa Campaign.
The campaign, which began in early May to lighten Kenyans’ financial burden, has made 15 Kenyans millionaires and seeks to award 16 more, with the grand prize winner walking away with Ksh 5 million.
In addition to the Ksh1 million, each winner will receive an additional Ksh250,000 courtesy of the Safaricom Foundation to support any community initiative.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Machakos County, Naomi Mbithe Muli, a primary school teacher, expressed her joy at receiving the Ksh1 million.
“When I first received the call, I was hesitant to accept that I had indeed won. However, on visiting the Safaricom shop, it dawned on me that I can now finish building my mom’s house and upgrade my life by going back to school,” said Naomi.
The 41-year-old is also committed to changing the lives of her students with the Ksh250,000 for community service.
“I want to buy school uniforms and stationery for some of the vulnerable students in my school. I am also committed to making sure we get practical apparatus for CBC students.”
This reward could not have come at a better time for Rachel Wanjiru Muthike, a tea and coffee farmer from Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, central Kenya.
The mother of three was beyond elated to learn that she could finally finish her projects and set aside some money for investments to secure her children’s future.
Like Naomi, Rachel also uses the community prize to buy practical apparatus for CBC students in a nearby primary school.
Rono Kibet, a winner from Trans Mara East, explained: “For a long time, we had to ask a local private primary school for a place to worship. Now, God has blessed me, and I intend to change the state of our church. I will use the Ksh250,000 to buy land for our church. My Ksh1 million will be directed towards a poultry project I have wanted to do over the years. This project will secure my future and that of my family.”
“Safaricom is synonymous with transforming lives and empowering our communities to have a tangible impact on society. This campaign speaks to exactly that.
It was intentional that we awarded the millionaires additional money, and we are glad that now we can count over 15 community projects that we have made possible courtesy of these millionaires,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom PLC.
Njeri Kamau has yet to come to terms with her win. The 24-year-old occupational therapist in Nairobi says she is still overwhelmed but very excited about the future.
Njeri intends to put a smile on the faces of special needs children for whom she’ll buy wheelchairs. She will spend the Ksh1 million to open a pantry and spice shop to ensure she is consistently generating income. She’ll also invest some of the money.
Osano Gideon from Migori County believes this is the turning point in his life. This windfall represents not just a financial uplift but an opportunity to transform his future and that of his community.
With careful planning, Osano intends to invest a portion of his winnings in a small business, which he hopes will provide a stable income for his family.
Additionally, he will use the community reward to improve the local school by purchasing much-needed supplies and paying fees for underprivileged students.
To participate, customers must transact on M-PESA or purchase any Safaricom Bundles. Customers will earn an entry into the weekly draw for every Ksh200 transacted on M-PESA and any Shine Kenya Bundles purchase of Ksh 20 and above.
“Qualifying M-PESA transactions include Send Money (P2P), Lipa na M-PESA, any transaction made through the M-PESA app, My Safaricom app, dialling *444#, *544# or *334#,” said Safaricom.
