Safaricom’s Shangwe @25 nationwide consumer promotion continues to reward customers across the country, with five more Kenyans becoming the latest millionaires.
Hannah Ngige from Komarock in Nairobi, Wellington Juma from Kisumu, Taala Chelanga from Elgeyo Marakwet, Elizabeth Wairimu from Thika, and Sheila Cheptoo from Bomet, each received Kes 1 million, bringing the total number of millionaires in the campaign to ten (10) since its launch last month.
In addition to the cash prize money, each winner also received an extra Kes 250,000 to support a community initiative of their choice.
Speaking during the award ceremony at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, where Safaricom also gifted customers through the Green Box mechanic, 56-year-old Hannah Ngige, a mother of two and a resident of Komarock, expressed her gratitude to Safaricom, noting that the win came as a complete surprise, especially during these tough economic times.
“I sell second-hand items, so I make many transactions on M-PESA and Pochi, and I believe that really boosted my entries. I am extremely happy and grateful. I plan to invest part of this money back into my business, and I also want to start tomato farming in Kimana, Loitoktok, something I’ve always dreamed of but could never afford. For my community project, I would like to support Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, which is near where I live, by providing beddings for the maternity wing,” she said.
Another winner, 39-year-old Wellington Juma, a Clinical Officer at Chulaimbo Health Centre in Kisumu, said he was overwhelmed after receiving the congratulatory call and later confirming the win at the Safaricom Kisumu Shop.
“I had just returned from night shift when I received the call. At first, I thought it was fraud, but after confirmation text, I believed it. I plan to complete my house under construction and equip my small clinic. For the community project, I want to support a widows’ group in Ahero that hires tents and chairs to earn a living,” he said.
For 25-year-old poultry farmer and mother of one, Sheila Cheptoo from Bomet, the news came when she was unwell and resting.
“I had just finished feeding my chicken and gone back to bed when the call came. I didn’t believe it until the confirmation message arrived; my sickness even disappeared. I normally buy bundles and minutes through M-PESA, and I had accumulated some entries. I plan to expand my poultry business to large scale and also support my siblings’ school fees. For the community project, I will support Kitoben Primary Children’s Home with beddings and food,” she said.
Taala Chelanga, also 25 and a mother of two from Elgeyo Marakwet, was still in disbelief even when we spoke. “I don’t know how a million looks like, I have never held such an amount in my life. This is a miracle from Safaricom. I plan to buy land and build a home for my family,” she said.
Shangwe @25: Safaricom crowns four new millionaires
Similarly, shopkeeper and mother of four, Elizabeth Wairimu from Thika, said the win was a miracle during a difficult season for her family.
“My four children rely on my small kiosk, and sometimes I wash clothes for people to earn extra income. I mainly use M-PESA to buy airtime and data bundles. I plan to buy a plot, build rental units to boost my income, and expand my kiosk. For my community project, I will support Twiga Primary School in Juja with textbooks because many children from humble backgrounds are often sent home for lacking them,” she said.
Beyond the individual winners, eight (8) small-registered businesses using Lipa Na M-PESA payment options, including Buy Goods and Pochi la Biashara, also won big. Four (4) won Bajaj tricycles to aid in moving of their goods. They include Sakifarm Limited- Nairobi, Millys The Redbeet Fresh Mart- Voi, Tito Busienei Koiyet- Eldoret, and Carrix Media Group Limited- Kiambu.
The other four (4) won business stocks worth Kes 250,000 each. They include EBEE Mobility Kenya Limited- Homabay, Justus Kiprono Koros Hardware in Kericho Town, an Insurance Broker in Kisii town – Robert Nyakundi Ayuka and Taifa Sacco Limited- Nyeri.
Moringa School, the European Union, and the United Nations Federal Credit Union were the winners in the large and medium enterprises, receiving Kes 500,000 each to support their CSR kitties.
Since its launch, Shangwe @25 has rewarded thousands of customers daily and weekly with cash prizes, data bundles, devices, and business support tools. Every week, customers win Kes 10,000, Kes 50,000, or Kes 100,000, contributing to more than 50,000 winners weekly. Over the promotion period, more than 5 million customers are expected to win prizes worth Kes 250 million.
Customers can participate by transacting on M-PESA, sending money, paying with M-PESA, redeeming Bonga Points, or purchasing Safaricom products such as data bundles, voice bundles, digital services, or Home Fibre. Merchants and M-PESA agents also qualify through Buy Goods, Pochi la Biashara, and transactions from Kes 1,000 and above.
Dial *334# to access all M-PESA services.
