Safaricom has unveiled the final five winners of KES 1 million in its Shangwe @25 nationwide consumer promotion, bringing the total number of new millionaires to 25.
The final winners Quinter Akinyi Wanyama (Bungoma), Sheila Cherotich (Bomet), Fidel Mwendwa (Kitui), Geoffrey Mawira (Meru), and Grace Nyiva (Uthiru, Nairobi) join 20 other Kenyans whose lives have been changed through the promotion.
In a move that extends the impact beyond individual households, each winner also received an additional KES 250,000 to fund a community project of their choice, ensuring that their good fortune creates a ripple effect of positive change where it matters most.
Over the course of the promotion, more than five million customers across the country walked away with prizes, worth KES 250 million, a powerful reflection of Safaricom’s commitment to sharing its success with the people and communities who have been part of its journey for 25 years.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa thanked customers for their participation and highlighted the campaign’s impact in transforming lives across the country.
“I am truly delighted to see how successful Shangwe @25 has been and the positive impact it has created for millions of Kenyans. We have created 25 millionaires, with more than five million customers nationwide winning prizes worth a total of KES 250 million. This campaign reflects Safaricom’s ongoing commitment to transforming lives, empowering our customers, and supporting communities across the country,” said Ndegwa.
Safaricom launched the Shangwe @25 nationwide consumer promotion in October last year (2025) to reward customers as the company marked 25 years of transforming lives. The campaign offered a wide range of prizes including cash, electronic devices, household appliances, shopping vouchers, goats, chickens, and other gifts.
Grace Nyiva, one of the final winners from Uthiru, Nairobi, was overwhelmed with joy after receiving her KES 1 million cheque from Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. The 23-year-old single mother sells sausages and smokies at the local market and also works as a cleaner at a nearby club to support her child. She described the win as a miracle.
“I cannot really describe how happy I am. Life has been very difficult for me and my child. Even putting food on the table or paying school fees has been a struggle. I work two jobs just to survive. Out of millions of Kenyans, Safaricom found me here in Uthiru. It is God,” said Grace.
Grace plans to set up a cereal shop for her mother, pay her daughter’s school fees, and enroll in college to study IT.
For her community project, she has committed KES 250,000 to support unemployed youth by providing salon and car wash equipment. Her goal is to help reduce drug and alcohol abuse while creating income opportunities.
In Webuye, 38-year-old Quinter Akinyi Wanyama is still in disbelief after receiving her KES 1 million cheque. At first, she thought the call was a scam until she received confirmation from Safaricom.
A mother of five, Quinter runs a welding workshop with her husband. She plans to purchase new equipment, expand the business and pay school fees for her children, including one in university and High School.
“ I use M-PESA for almost all my transactions. At first, I doubted the win, but now I truly believe because I am holding my cheque. I will use part of the money to restock the welding shop I run with my husband, and also pay school fees for my children, one in university and another in high school.” Said Quinter Akinyi.
She has committed KES 250,000 to Mahanga PEFA School to purchase lockers, teachers’ chairs, and a printer.
Just like the other winners, in Bomet County, 21-year-old Sheila Cherotich was overcome with emotion after receiving her KES 1 million cheque.
The young mother works as a sales agent selling M-KOPA phones at Chebunyo Centre.
With her KES 1 million prize, she plans to buy land and build a house for her mother, start a clothing and shoe business, and support her brother’s education something she has always wished to do.
“The Shangwe @25 win is not just a financial boost, it is an opportunity to transform my family’s future and make a lasting impact in my community. I plan to purchase a piece of land and build a house for my mother, something I have always dreamed of but could not afford. Thanks to Safaricom, this has now become possible. I am truly grateful, as from today, my life will never be the same,” said Sheila Cherotich.
She will use her KES 250,000 community fund to support a water project at Chebunyo Health Centre by installing water tanks.
In Kitui County, Fidel Mwendwa Kavinya, a 25-year-old mechanic and one of the final millionaires in Safaricom’s Shangwe @25 promotion, was overjoyed after receiving the life-changing call.
“As an orphan from a young age, I have faced many struggles. I have been working for others, and I am currently employed as a mechanic. I never imagined that one day God would bless me with a million shillings at this age. This is truly life-changing for me, as I will use the money to open my own workshop, earn independently, and grow my future. I was a bit doubtful at first, but now it is real, I am a young millionaire in town,” said Fidel Mwendwa.
Inspired by his own experiences growing up without parental support, Fidel has chosen to give back through his community project. He will use KES 250,000 to support Timboni Tiva Children’s Home in Kitui County, aiming to improve the welfare of vulnerable children and provide them with the care and opportunities he once longed for.
Meanwhile, 52-year-old Geoffrey Mawira Muguongo, a resident of Mujwa Village in Meru County, could hardly contain his joy upon receiving KES 1 million in the Shangwe @25 consumer promotion.
A single father of two, a boy and a girl, Geoffrey lives with a disability and works as a cobbler and shoe seller in Nkubu town, doubling his income with a barbershop, a trade he has pursued for many years to support his family.
Geoffrey plans to expand his workshop and buy a shoe-making machine to create opportunities for more disabled people in his business.
With the KES 250,000 community project fund, Geoffrey has chosen to support Mujwa traders by purchasing tents for hire. Through this initiative, he hopes to give back to his community while creating income opportunities, especially for traders living with disabilities.
Beyond the individual KES 1 million winners, Safaricom also awarded 6 enterprise customers including, Peter Kamau (Snaap Kenya Limited), Alex Karanja (Robstar Premium Fit LTD), Ketan Patel (Ronak Distributors), Robert Nyakundi, Fredrick Miruka and Justin Kareri (EBee Mobility) with stock valued at KES 250,000 each to accelerate growth and strengthen operations.
Additionally, Leonard Oongo (Almervic Hardware), Alex Wasike (Ryattah Medical Center), and Milenah Mwarashu (Nona Millz) won Tuk-Tuk pickups to support their business logistics.
