A routine M-PESA transaction has transformed the life of a 27-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Kisauni, Mombasa, after Safaricom notified him that he had won KES 1 million in its ongoing Shangwe @25 promotion.
Joseph Ndung’u, who has worked in the transport sector for seven years, is the 14th Kenyan to win the top cash prize since the promotion launched. In addition to the KES 1 million payout, he also received an extra KES 250,000 to support a community project of his choice.
The life-changing moment came shortly after Joseph completed a routine trip. He initially dismissed the unexpected call from Safaricom, suspecting it was related to a fare reversal, and borrowed a friend’s phone to confirm the caller’s identity before realising 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 win came during a difficult period for his family, which was mourning the recent loss of his grandfather. Joseph said the news brought renewed hope and reassurance at a time of emotional strain.
A frequent M-PESA user, Joseph relies on the platform for daily business transactions, including fuel purchases, airtime and data, and loan repayments. He also supports his family through the service, including servicing instalments for an M-KOPA phone purchased for his younger brother.
With the winnings, Joseph plans to buy an additional tuk-tuk and open a spare-parts shop to diversify his income. He also intends to fund a surgical procedure for his mother and invest in his brother’s education.
As part of the community support component of the prize, Joseph selected the Bidallah Self Help Group, a youth-led organisation based in the Mishomoroni–Kisauni area. The group runs several income-generating activities, including fresh water supply, a fruit parlour, and boda boda operations.
The KES 250,000 community grant will be used to purchase a freezer, expand water storage capacity with larger tanks, and strengthen the group’s fruit business.
“This money gives me an opportunity to plan for the future,” Joseph said. “I want to grow my business, take care of my family, and also ensure the community benefits by supporting a youth self-help group so they can sustain themselves and continue supporting others.”
Safaricom said the Shangwe @25 promotion, launched to mark its 25th anniversary, rewards customers daily and weekly with cash prizes, data bundles, devices, and business support tools. Each week, more than 50,000 customers win between KES 10,000 and KES 100,000.
By the end of the campaign, more than five million customers are expected to receive prizes worth a total of KES 250 million, with 25 customers set to become millionaires.
The promotion also targets businesses, with micro and small enterprises receiving tuk-tuk pickups or stock support, while medium and large enterprises are awarded funds to support corporate social responsibility projects.
The Shangwe @25 campaign is part of Safaricom’s nationwide celebrations marking 25 years of operations, aimed at rewarding customers, uplifting communities, and highlighting the impact of its services.
To access M-PESA services, customers dial *334#.