Four more Kenyans have been crowned KES1 million winners under the ongoing Shangwe @25 drive promotion by telco Safaricom.

In an update on Friday, Safaricom said 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 KES1 million, bringing the total number of millionaires in the campaign to 10 since its launch last month. 

In addition to the cash prize money, each winner also received an extra KES250,000 to support a community initiative of their choice. 

Hannah Ngige, 56, 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. 

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, 10 micro and small businesses also won big. Five won Bajaj tricycles to aid in business logistics such as transportation of stock and deliveries. They include Sakifarm Limited- Nairobi, a grower and exporter of avocado, Millys The Redbeet Fresh Mart- Voi, a grocery store, Tito Busienei Koiyet- Eldoret, a farmer of Avocado, Macadamia and Livestock, Leonard Oongo- Kisumu, a retailer and Carrix Media Group Limited- Kiambu, an ICT company. 

The other five won business stocks worth Kes 250,000 each to boost the growth of their businesses. They include EBEE Mobility Kenya Limited- Homabay, an auto repair, Justus Kiprono Koros in Kericho Town, selling construction material, Robert Nyakundi Ayuka, an Insurance Broker in Kisii town, Taifa Sacco Limited- Nyeri and Federico Investments, an investment agency. 

Moringa School limited, the European Union, and the United Nations Federal Credit were the winners under the large and medium enterprises receiving Kes 500,000 each to support a CSR project of their choice as part of spreading cheer during the festive season. 

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.