Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) has named Yvonne Wanjiku Kang’ara, a 20-year-old from Ngeu, Kiambu County, as the first millionaire in its Shangwe @25 consumer promotion celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary.
The life-changing moment came from an ordinary KES 20 data bundle purchase made through M-PESA. That small transaction automatically entered Kang’ara into the promotional draw, ultimately transforming her into the campaign’s first major winner.
Recounting her reaction to the news, an emotional Kang’ara shared:
“I’m still in shock. A KES 20 data bundle has made me a millionaire through Safaricom. When the call came, I suspected fraud until my mother and I verified it was from the official Safaricom number (0722000000). This changes everything for my family. I’ll use the money to continue my education, help my mother start a business, and build a home for my grandmother in Londiani, where I grew up.”
Beyond the cash prize, Yvonne received an additional KES 250,000 for a community initiative. She intends to donate these funds to a local children’s home to purchase food, bedding, and essential supplies.
At the winner announcement, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa reflected on the company’s mission:
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our first Shangwe @25 millionaire. Yvonne’s story exemplifies our core purpose—a KES 20 purchase transforming a young Kenyan’s future. This is what Safaricom does: we create opportunities and change lives.”
The Shangwe @25 promotion distributes daily and weekly rewards including cash, data bundles, devices, and business tools. Over 5 million customers are projected to win prizes totaling more than KES 250 million during the campaign.
Key prizes include:
- 25 customers winning KES 1 million each, plus KES 250,000 for community projects
- 25 small and micro businesses receiving Bajaj tricycles
- 15 large and medium enterprises getting KES 500,000 each for community initiatives
- 25 small and micro businesses winning KES 250,000 in stock
- Daily prizes of airtime, data, and instant M-PESA cash
Customers can enter by conducting M-PESA transactions, sending money, paying with M-PESA, using Bonga Points, or purchasing Safaricom products including data bundles, voice services, digital offerings, or Home Fibre packages.
Merchants and M-PESA agents qualify through Buy Goods, Pochi La Biashara, and transactions exceeding KES 1,000.
The Shangwe @25 campaign represents Safaricom’s way of honoring customers and communities while commemorating 25 years of connecting Kenya through innovation and impact.