In a bid to enhance financial and digital literacy among grassroots communities, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, in partnership with Google, conducted a comprehensive training session for boda boda riders, vendors, and small business operators in Rongo, Migori County. The training is part of the Safaricom Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa promotion’s community outreach initiative, aimed at empowering Kenyans with crucial financial knowledge.
The program covered a wide range of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding financial products and services. These lessons are designed to help participants manage their finances more effectively and make informed decisions that contribute to their long-term economic empowerment.
“Empowering our community through knowledge is a vital step towards sustainable business growth. Today, we’ve proudly facilitated free digital and financial literacy training to over 300 of our customers from diverse sectors. By equipping them with essential skills, we are not only enhancing their ability to make informed decisions but also driving long-term economic empowerment. This initiative reflects our commitment to transforming lives through meaningful, strategic investments that uplift communities and contribute to a brighter, more inclusive future for all Kenyans,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO Safaricom PLC.
The training session was well-received by participants, many of whom expressed appreciation for the insights and skills gained. Wilberforce Midianga, Boda Boda Chairman for Migori County, remarked on the importance of the training for boda boda riders: “Managing money has always been a challenge for many of us. We earn, but we don’t know how to invest or save. Today’s training is a real eye-opener. Now, we have the tools to spend wisely and invest our money for a better future.”
The initiative is part of a broader series of community engagement efforts by Safaricom in Migori County, celebrating the grand prize winner of the recently concluded Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa promotion. The grand prize winner, Kepher Okoth, a 24-year-old mechanic from Kanga in Migori County, was awarded KES 5 million last week. In addition, he received KES 1 million to support a community project of his choice, facilitated through the Safaricom Foundation.
Safaricom’s Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa promotion was designed to not only reward customers but also create lasting impact within communities. In Migori County, a series of community-focused projects are being rolled out, thanks to Okoth’s winnings. These include a medical camp and fistula camp for local residents, hospital visits with donations of mama-packs to new mothers, and the renovation of Kitere Primary School in Kanga.
The school renovation project is part of 31 community projects funded through the promotion, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond individual winners and positively impact wider communities. According to Safaricom, this approach aims to create a ripple effect of positive change, making the promotion not just about individual rewards, but about driving meaningful social transformation across Kenya.
During the promotion, 30 Kenyans won KES 1 million each weekly, while an additional 2.52 million participants received M-PESA cashbacks, data bundles, and airtime. The 31 community projects selected by the weekly winners are currently being implemented, marking a significant contribution to local development across various regions of Kenya.
