Joseph Ndung’u has become the latest KES1 million winner in Safaricom’s ongoing Shangwe @25 promotion, a turnaround sparked by an everyday M-PESA transaction.

The 27-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Kisauni, Mombasa is the second-born in a family of three and now becomes the 14th Kenyan to join the growing list of Shangwe @25 millionaires. 

In addition to the cash prize, he also received an extra KES250,000 to support a community project of his choice, extending the impact of his win beyond his household and into the wider community.

His life-changing moment came shortly after completing a routine trip. After dropping off a customer, Joseph received an unexpected call from Safaricom informing him of his win. 

Initially sceptical and assuming it might be related to a fare reversal, he borrowed a friend’s phone to verify the call, only to realise the news was genuine.

“I had just completed a trip when I received the call. I was sceptical at first and borrowed a friend’s phone to verify that it was indeed Safaricom,” he said.

The news arrived during a deeply emotional period for his family, who were mourning the recent loss of his grandfather. Amid the grief, the win brought renewed hope and reassurance at a difficult time.

A frequent M-PESA user, Joseph relies on the platform for his daily operations, including purchasing fuel, buying data and airtime, and repaying loans. 

He also uses M-PESA to support his family, having purchased an M-KOPA phone for his younger brother, an instalment he continues to service while providing for both his brother and mother.

With his winnings, Joseph plans to purchase an additional tuk-tuk and open a spare-parts shop, expanding his business and creating a more stable source of income. He also intends to support his mother by financing a surgical procedure, easing a significant financial burden on the family.

Guided by a strong desire to give back, Joseph has chosen the Bidallah Self Help Group, a youth group based in his Mishomoroni–Kisauni neighbourhood as the beneficiary of his community project. 

The group is involved in several income-generating activities, including fresh water supply, a fruit parlour, and boda boda operations.

Through the additional KES250,000 community support prize, the funds will be used to purchase a freezer the group currently lacks, acquire larger water storage tanks, and boost the fruit parlour business, strengthening the group’s capacity to serve the community and grow its enterprises. 

“This money gives me an opportunity to plan for the future. I will grow my business, take care of my family’s needs, and invest in my brother’s education. Beyond that, I want to ensure the community also benefits by supporting a youth self-help group called Bidallah Self Help Group here in Mushomoroni, through the provision of a water freezer and additional water tanks, so they can sustain themselves and continue supporting others,” he said.

Since its launch, Shangwe @25 has been rewarding customers daily and weekly with cash prizes, data bundles, devices, and business support tools. Each week, more than 50,000 customers win KES10,000, KES50,000, or KES100,000. 

Over the course of the promotion, more than five million customers are expected to win prizes worth KES 250 million, with 25 customers set to become millionaires by the end of the campaign.

The promotion also supports businesses of all sizes. Micro and small enterprises are rewarded with tuk-tuk pickups to enhance logistics such as stock transportation and deliveries, while selected businesses receive stock worth KES 250,000 to accelerate growth. Medium and large enterprises receive KES 500,000 to support corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of their choice.

The Shangwe @25 campaign forms part of Safaricom’s 25th anniversary celebrations, a nationwide initiative to thank customers, uplift communities, and celebrate 25 years of connection, innovation, and impact.