Winners celebrate windfall by donating Sh1m to IDPs

By Evelyne Ogutu

Until December last year, one of Stephen Onderi’s prayers was to make enough money to pay rent.

Now, he has enough money to build a house.

With three friends, Onderi, 45, hit the Sh10 million jackpot in the ‘Tusker Mili Na Marafiki Promotion’.

The father of three and his friends — Rogers Munyao, 55, Joseph Ndiritu, 38 and Joseph Njoroge, 40, — have had a wheel of fortune spinning their way after hitting the jackpot.

Over a month ago, Onderi and his friends won an additional Sh140,000 in the same promotion.

Their stroke of luck started in a bar in Uthiru.

Tusker Mili Na Marafiki Promotion winners (from left) Rogers Munyao, Joseph Njoroge, Joseph Ndiritu and Stephen Onderi. Photo: Evelyne Ogutu

"We had gone for our usual drink at the local bar," he says.

The first beer he bought ‘opened the gates of luck’.

"After a waiter opened the beer, I reached for the crown without much anticipation. Underneath it, there were instructions my friends and I could take part in the promotion whose prize was between Sh1.5 million and Sh10 million.

Onderi participated in the draw and got a ticket to a game show held on December 22.

"I was not drunk at the time and I remember asking God that I should win this money together with my friends," he recalls.

The goddess of luck was on the quartet’s side as they bagged the jackpot prize, Sh10 million, after a 30-minute thrilling and adrenaline filled televised game.

"As a matatu operator, I had never handled so much money," he says.

Onderi says though he has bought land to build a house in Kitengela, he is yet to come to terms with his millionaire status.

The first decision the four friends made was to donate Sh1 million to the internally displaced persons.

Opened doors

The donation, Onderi says, has brought more luck and opened doors of opportunities.

"Even before we had invested the Sh10 million that we won on December 22, we won Sh140,000 after EABL extended the promotion. Now we believe in the saying that when you give you will always get more," said Onderi.

"I know the pain of being an IDP after my house was set ablaze in 1992 in Kunyak in Kipkelion District. I lost everything. As the captain of the team, after winning the jackpot I suggested that we contribute Sh1 million to IDPs and my friends obliged," he said.

Onderi says they will donate Sh14,000 to a charitable organisation.

Since winning the jackpot, Onderi and his friends’ lives have improved.

Before their lucky win, Njoroge, Nderitu and Onderi were drivers while Munyao did menial jobs in Uthiru.

"We used to live in rental houses in Uthiru but after getting the millions we decided to buy our own land and build homes. We have already moved to Kitengela," says Njoroge.

Onderi says the millions came as an end year shocker.

"We were all very green in handling millions, but the Kenya Commercial Bank came to our rescue and advised us on investment options.

EABL and KCB have promised the group an investment retreat, Onderi says.

EABL Group Managing Director Gerald Mahinda said the brewer and the bank had recognised the importance of Kenyans coming together not only to have fun but also for investment purposes.

For the four friends, life has just begun and they are keen to ensure the Sh10 million doubles soon.