Reuben Keitany couldn’t hide his excitement on Friday, January 24, when he was handed the keys to a brand new luxury apartment in Nairobi.
The Kwale-based police officer had been announced as the first of six Kenyans who won apartments as part of Safaricom’s Lipa na M-PESA promotion.
A quarry worker, teacher and hotelier were among other winners who walked away with the stunning luxury apartments.
Each payment made by Safaricom customers using the Lipa Na M-PESA service saw them earn one entry point into a draw before the winners were picked. In this article, we meet the six lucky Kenyans whose lives essentially transformed overnight.
-
Reuben Keitany
In 2017, Reuben Keitany won a Neon 4 smartphone in a promotion run by Safaricom. Little did he know that three years later, he would be awarded yet again by the company.
He revealed that he had been paying for shopping for his young family using Lipa na M-PESA, stating that he did not expect to win the apartment.
“Emerging as the first winner of the three-bedroom apartment has come as a sweet surprise and is a great way to start 2020. I plan to keep the house as a family home for me, my wife and five children,” he disclosed.
-
Samuel Gathiru
At the start of the year, Samuel Gathiru lived in a single room house in Naro Moru for which he paid Ksh450 monthly rent.
The quarry worker revealed that he made Ksh180 on a bad day and Ksh300 on a good day from his work near Tigithi River.
He explained that he was paid via M-PESA and, therefore, usually catered for many of his expenses using Lipa Na M-PESA.
“I have no words to express how happy I was when I received the news that I have won a house. At first, I could not believe the news and I had to go to the Safaricom Shop in Nanyuki to confirm,” stated Gathiru after becoming the proud owner of a three-bedroom apartment in Nairobi’s Riruta neighbourhood.
-
Joseph Kipkirui
Other than working as a casual labourer on farms in Burnt Forest, Eldoret, 36-year-old Joseph Kipkirui also worked as a security guard at St. Patricks Catholic Church.
He disclosed that he regularly made his contributions to a co-operative society using Lipa Na M-PESA.
“I usually pay my chama contribution through Lipa Na M-PESA but I haven’t been very keen on my number of entries.
“One day, I made the contribution as usual and three days later, I received a call informing me that I was the winner of a house,” the father of two stated.
It was double joy for Kipkirui whose wife had delivered a bouncing baby in January.
-
Salma Salim Mohammed
Salma Salim Mohammed, a receptionist at a Mombasa hotel, was used to making payments via Lipa Na M-PESA whether for work or her personal expenses.
The mother of a five-year-old child had moved back to Kenya in 2019 from Rwanda where she worked.
“I am an avid Lipa Na M-PESA customer which sees me frequenting outlets that accept payment through the service as it saves me from the hassle of walking around with cash.
“In my wildest dreams, I have never pictured myself winning in any promotion, and I am glad that for the first time in my life I have won such an amazing prize as a house,” the Sarova Whitesands receptionist told journalists after her big win.
-
Edward Oluoch
Edward Oluoch was sitting in the living room of his house in Bondo, Siaya County when he received a call that would transform his life forever at around 9.35 a.m.
The father of three daughters, a teacher of Mathematics and Geography at St. Augustine Nyamonye Girls High School, had left his quarters at the school and was spending time with his family while his students were away for the mid-term break.
“I was just sitting in a chair. My wife was in another room. I saw a number calling - the number ended with a lot of zeroes. It was someone from Safaricom telling me I had won an apartment,” Oluoch told Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, February 27.
An elated Oluoch revealed that he typically made payments at a local supermarket and petrol station using Lipa Na M-PESA as well as various school-related expenses.
-
Joshua Kilonzi
Joshua Kilonzi, 24, would regularly be sent on various errands by his boss and would be tasked with fueling a motorbike, payments he made via M-PESA.
Kilonzi hails from Nuu in Mwingi Sub-County of Kitui County and has been working in Nasi Farm in Garissa, cultivating mangoes and bananas.
He revealed that he had been using M-PESA for years and was shocked by the win, noting it was a turning point in his life.
“I prefer paying with Lipa Na M-PESA when paying for farm supplies because it is more convenient and cheaper than withdrawing the money then making a payment. Winning this apartment is a big breakthrough for me having had few opportunities in my life,” he stated.
The Lipa Na M-PESA promotion has also seen 120 business owners drive home 120 tuk-tuks, 15 in each of the country's eight regions.
His win brings the total number of apartments awarded in the promotion to 6. The promotion came to an end on March 5, 2020, and was open to both customers and businesses who make and receive payments through Lipa Na M-PESA.
More customers are set to win eight tractors that are kitted with a trailer and plough at the promotion’s grand finale, scheduled for this week, with one each for the eight regions
The grand finale will see eight business owners drive off with eight 12-tonne Fuso FI trucks, one in each of the eight regions.