Lotto gets its first Sh3.2 Millionaire!

Cleophas Were Pedha is a father, a businessman, and most recently, a millionaire. Cleophas, in yesterday's Lotto Draw, was the lucky winner of 3.2 million shillings. 'Nilisikia kwa Radio Maisha ati kuna mchezo ingine ya kushinda pesa, kwa hivyo niliamua kucheza tu, labda nibahatike (I heard on Radio Maisha that there is a game for winning money and I decided to play just in case I get lucky),' he explained to us. It’s amazing to know how he participated by using his wife’s phone Lilian Akoth and became lucky. And indeed he is very lucky – three million shillings is the highest amount that anyone has won from the Lotto so far.The 100m jackpot is still up for grabs and it takes only one 50 bob ticket, like it did for Mr and Mrs Pedha.

Mr Cleophas Were Pedha and his family. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

These were the largest winners among a total of 6,565 winners in Saturday Draw verified by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) on live national television. The lowest amount won was KES 75.00. Some of the Saturday Draw statistics are as follows:

1. Cleophas Were Pedha-3,200,000 2
2. Wesley Kosgei - 100,000
3. Lawrence Miceni - 50,000
4. Robert Wainaina - Sh50,000
5. John Macharia - Sh50, 000
6. James Mungai – Sh50, 000
7. Joseph Cheruiyot – Sh50, 000
8. Naftaly Mithamo – Sh10, 000

You can tell from the way a slight smile passes across his features when posing for pictures that he can barely believe his luck. His face shines, as if he has a new lease on life. 'Niko na mipango tatu juu ya hizo pesa (I have three main plans for that money),' he says, and proceeds to list them in order of importance – he will build a house, put some of the money into education for his six children, and try to expand his electronics business. He currently works from a stall, fixing broken appliances like phones and televisions. And even though he is a millionaire, he will still be doing the very same thing. 'Kazi lazima iendelee (the work must continue).'

This money will go a long way in helping Cleophas and his large family, as well as his community in Siaya. 'Nataka kusaidia jamii yangu kiafya (I want to help my community, in terms of health),' he adds thoughtfully at the end of our conversation. Perhaps he speaks from the experience of a disabled person living in a society that sometimes does not understand the various difficulties that one must undergo – from buying necessary walking aids to even just a basic empathy.

'Nimefurahia sana kushinda hizi pesa. Nasikia vizuri sana (I am very happy to have won this money. I feel very good,' he laughs as he says this; the laugh of a changed man. 'Na bila shaka nitaendelea na hii mchezo, ili nipate ile mia moja (and of course I will continue to play this game, so that I get the 100 million). Sijamaliza (I'm not done).'

He's not done, he says. And neither are we. Who knows? Maybe it's your story we'll be writing next about how Lotto has changed your life. It's only a 50 shilling ticket for a millionaire life. Like Mwenda Bildad, who is going to use his winnings to see the beauty of Maasai Mara for the very first time. Or Vincent Majanja, who has been longing to build a house big enough for his family, and now finally has the power to do so – after he bought just one ticket. And let's not forget about the thousands of others who are giving their winnings back to the community – whether to their churches or to their families, for the enrichment of the future generations – much like Cleophas is planning to do.

Lotto has had a total of 9 draws since it entered the Kenyan market. All you have to do is what these winners did as well – send 50 shillings through Mpesa to Paybill 777000, Account LOTTO. It will take about two minutes to create a new destiny. Play the Lotto. It's only a 50 shilling ticket for a millionaire life.