A select group of Kenyans were among individuals chosen across the world and gifted Ksh1.3 million each as part of an experiment by the TED organisation.
The organisation gave out the cash and ordered to spend it all within three months of receiving the disbursement.
The gift was part of a study of the World Happiness Report (2023) and aimed at measuring altruism's effects on beneficiaries' well-being.
In total, individuals from seven countries were selected for the study which was christened a “Mystery Experiment.”
Apart from Kenya, other individuals were drawn from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“Altruism is defined as an action intended to benefit the welfare of the recipient and so most acts of altruism should increase beneficiaries’ well-being,” the study explained.
Kenyans who were given the money were monitored for 90 days to note how their life changed.
“The recipients of the cash transfer from anonymous donors reported greater subjective well-being after receiving and spending these funds,” the study noted in its research findings.
The well-being was identified through greater life satisfaction, positive effect and lower negative effect.
“Recipients of help also reported that receiving helped improve their trust in social relationships, empathy for others, and optimism about human nature,” the study added.
Apart from Kenyans who received the windfall, other Kenyans were classified as part of the unhappiest individuals on earth.
This was after Kenya emerged as position 111 out of 137 sampled nations across the globe in the World Happiness Report 2023.
Other countries in East Africa Countries were ranked; Uganda (113), Tanzania (129) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (136).
South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda were not ranked in the World Happiness Report.
