Joseph Ndung’u, a 27-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Kisauni in Mombasa County, has emerged as the latest Sh1 million winner in Safaricom’s ongoing Shangwe @25 promotion, after an everyday M-PESA transaction unexpectedly changed his financial fortunes.
Mr Ndung’u, who has worked in the transport sector for seven years, becomes the 14th Kenyan to win Sh1 million since the promotion was launched as part of Safaricom’s 25th anniversary celebrations. In addition to the cash prize, he received an extra Sh250,000 earmarked for a community project of his choice, extending the impact of the win beyond his immediate family.
Safaricom says the Shangwe @25 campaign is designed to reward customers for their everyday use of its services, particularly M-PESA, while also supporting businesses and community initiatives across the country.
A surprise call after a routine trip
Mr Ndung’u’s win came shortly after completing what he described as a routine tuk-tuk trip. After dropping off a customer, he received a call informing him that he had won Sh1 million in the Shangwe @25 draw.
Initially sceptical, he assumed the call could be linked to a fare reversal or a possible scam. To confirm its authenticity, he borrowed a friend’s phone to call back Safaricom, 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 timing of the news made the moment particularly emotional for his family. Mr Ndung’u said they were still mourning the recent loss of his grandfather, and the unexpected win brought a sense of hope and reassurance during a difficult period.
Heavy reliance on M-PESA
Like many workers in the informal transport sector, Mr Ndung’u relies heavily on M-PESA for his daily operations. He uses the mobile money platform to purchase fuel, buy airtime and data, and service loan repayments. He also supports his family through the platform.
He said he recently bought an M-KOPA phone for his younger brother, an instalment plan he continues to service while also providing financial support to his mother.
Safaricom has positioned Shangwe @25 as a reflection of how deeply embedded M-PESA has become in the daily lives of millions of Kenyans, cutting across income levels and economic sectors.
Plans to expand business and support family
With the Sh1 million prize, Mr Ndung’u plans to expand his transport business by purchasing an additional tuk-tuk, a move he says will help stabilise his income and reduce vulnerability to daily earnings fluctuations.
He also plans to open a spare-parts shop to complement his transport operations, creating a more diversified and sustainable business model.
Beyond business expansion, a portion of the funds will go toward supporting his family. Mr Ndung’u said he intends to finance a surgical procedure for his mother, easing what has been a significant financial burden.
“This money gives me an opportunity to plan for the future,” he said. “I will grow my business, take care of my family’s needs, and invest in my brother’s education.”
Community project funding
As part of the Shangwe @25 prize package, Mr Ndung’u also received Sh250,000 dedicated to a community initiative. He selected the Bidallah Self Help Group, a youth group based in the Mishomoroni–Kisauni area, as the beneficiary.
The group runs several income-generating activities, including fresh water supply, a fruit parlour and boda boda operations. According to Mr Ndung’u, the funds will be used to purchase a freezer, acquire larger water storage tanks and boost the fruit parlour business.
The additional equipment is expected to improve the group’s operations, enhance service delivery and strengthen its ability to generate income for members.
“I want to ensure the community also benefits by supporting a youth self-help group called Bidallah Self Help Group here in Mushomoroni,” he said. “Through the provision of a water freezer and additional water tanks, they can sustain themselves and continue supporting others.”
Safaricom says the community support component of Shangwe @25 is intended to ensure that the promotion delivers shared value, particularly in neighbourhoods where winners live and work.
Scale of the Shangwe @25 promotion
Since its launch, the Shangwe @25 promotion has rewarded customers daily and weekly with a range of prizes, including cash, data bundles, devices and business support tools.
Each week, more than 50,000 customers win cash prizes of Sh10,000, Sh50,000 or Sh100,000. Over the course of the campaign, Safaricom expects more than five million customers to win prizes worth a combined Sh250 million.
By the end of the promotion, 25 customers are set to become millionaires, underscoring the scale of the campaign and its reach across the country.
The initiative also includes targeted support for businesses. Micro and small enterprises are rewarded with tuk-tuk pickups to improve logistics such as stock transportation and deliveries. Selected businesses receive stock worth Sh250,000 to accelerate growth, while medium and large enterprises are awarded Sh500,000 to support corporate social responsibility projects of their choice.
Marking 25 years of Safaricom
Safaricom says Shangwe @25 forms part of its broader 25th anniversary celebrations, which are aimed at thanking customers, uplifting communities and reflecting on the company’s role in Kenya’s digital and economic transformation.
Over the past 25 years, the company has expanded from a mobile voice provider into a major player in mobile money, data services and digital solutions, with M-PESA at the centre of financial inclusion efforts.
For winners like Mr Ndung’u, the promotion represents more than a cash prize. It offers an opportunity to invest, plan for the future and support others within their communities, reflecting Safaricom’s stated goal of combining customer rewards with social impact.
