Millions of unsuspecting Kenyans are caught up in a wave of gambling that is being run by radio stations in Kenya, particularly vernacular radio stations.

These gambling games are disguised as competitions where listeners are asked to send Sh. 100 bob and stand a chance to win as much as Sh. 1 million. In one hour alone, these radio stations claim to reward as many as five people millions of money.

And so in the pursuit of quick wealth, Kenyans in the rural areas send their hard earned money. As suspicions on the authenticity of these games has risen, one Kenyan who was identified as Christine Shiro has come out to share how she was asked by a local station to act as a winner for pay.

Here is what she said:

“Have you ever been broke hadi the broke ones call you broke? That was me in 2017.

I was almost giving up, having lost everything I had worked for almost 8yrs. I was literally shutting down. My friend Mwangi (not his real name) met me in some place, he knew what I was going through.

He came with a suggestion.. Shiro sina pesa but naweza kusaidia kuwin 1M.. But, that will be for the cameras , your share will be 10% of it.

Me: Why would I win a milli then get 100k only?

Mwangi: kama hutaki si ukae, my friends are rough just like me..

Me: sijasema sitaki, ni swali tu.

Mwas: kuna hili shindano linaendelea kwa T.V na Radio..(mentions the name) , you’ve heard about it?

Me: Not yet..

Mwas: Every Friday there’s a winner of 1M, in two weeks someone will call you to tell you you’ve won.. You’ll scream in excitement, thanking God, calling your ancestors by their names and all that.. You must sound real..

Me: Well, what do I have to do?

Mwas: You’ll start participating in it right a way. Don’t use more than 50 bob a day to answer the questions you’ll be asked.

Me: Ok.. It’s a done deal..

Me: Ebu tell me what happens kwa hizo games..

Mwas: Unawezaje tumia lets say 1k and expect to win a Milli? Watu waache tamaa.. Hakuna pesa kama hiyo watu hu win. But for the game to continue, every week lazima waonyeshe mtu ame ‘win’ so that people can comtinue playing.

Me: Well, I have nothing to lose.. Let the game begin..

Two weeks later..

Phone rings…

Me : halooo..

Her: Its Milka from (huko sasa) calling to inform you that you are the lucky winner of 1m.. Yeeeey..

Me: ….silent…(Wondering how it would be if it was really a million.. Some crazy thoughts of blackmailing them filled my broke head)

Her: Helloo, are you there?

Me: Oh yes, yes I’m here.. Wow.. Oh, so I won a milli? (then I remembered what Mwas told me, I had to scream and call the names of those who went to rest earlier, just to make it look serious)

Me again: Auuuiii , mirrioni imwe? Mundu umwe??? Uuii maitu.. Nimeshinda nimeshinda halleluyahh.. Come one come all..

Her: That’s more like it. Come on Monday for your cheque.

Me: Can I come with my village mates?

Her: (Laughing sheepishly because we both knew we were acting) yes you may carry the whole village..

Monday came, I went to their offices.. Everybody was looking at me thinking that I was the newest millionaire in town. Others asked for my number.

An old mzee who came to collect his 20k cheque started telling me how he comes from a poor background and if I could help him educate his grand daughter..(if he only knew).. Everyone wanted to be me.

Photos were taken, I was recorded as I was receiving my 1M cheque. They would later use the same on TVs and papers(lies on their side). Tears rolling (because of bitterness but everyone else thought I was overwhelmed) ..

Then the guy who was carrying my “Milli” called me aside after the session, he took me to the next room which was unfinished, opened a black bag, handed me my 100k and told me to disappear .. I looked at him and said:

Those pics and video clip should be deleted before I leave the building. They Must Not see the light of day. If my family and friends see them, I’ll not convince them that I only took home 100k.

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He smiled and said that was a deal. ..

I went home 100k richer, it was a win win situation..Everybody was happy.. I saw Mwas two months ago and we laughed about the whole thing..