A 47-year-old Kenyan truck driver who abandoned his dream of attending university because of financial difficulties has won KSh102 million in the SportPesa Mega Jackpot, but says he is not ready to leave the profession that has sustained his family for more than two decades.
Peter Mwaniki, a father of four, became the first person to win the SportPesa Mega Jackpot this year after correctly predicting the outcomes of all 15 matches in Sunday’s 15/15 draw.
The massive windfall marks a major turning point for Mwaniki, whose working life has revolved around long-distance trucking, long hours on the road and the responsibility of providing for his wife and children.
However, despite becoming a multimillionaire, Mwaniki intends to continue working for at least another three to six months as he considers his next move.
“I can’t leave it now. I need time to inform the company. Maybe in three to six months,” he said during an interview following his unveiling as the jackpot winner on Friday, October 30.
Joined Trucking Industry After Missing University Opportunity
Mwaniki revealed that his journey into the transport industry was not originally part of his ambitions. He had hoped to pursue higher education but could not raise enough money to join university.
He subsequently joined his uncle’s trucking company, where he learned the trade and gradually built a career that has lasted more than 20 years.
“I didn’t have enough money to go to university. I joined my uncle. He had a trucking company. That’s how I learned the trade,” Mwaniki recalled.
Over the years, the job has exposed him to difficult working conditions, with his daily routine often stretching beyond normal working hours.
He said he normally starts work at 6am and continues until 6pm, sometimes working even longer depending on the demands of the journey.
“There are challenges during the day. Sometimes you can get into a traffic jam, sometimes you can get onto a rough road. There is mud,” he explained.
The truck driver also described the security risks associated with his profession, particularly when travelling through areas experiencing unrest or where communities are hostile to outsiders.
He recalled encountering riots and situations where motorists and their vehicles were attacked, making it difficult to continue with deliveries.
According to Mwaniki, abandoning a truck in the middle of an insecure area is rarely an option, forcing drivers to look for the nearest town or a safer place before making further decisions.
He described such experiences as some of the difficulties he has had to endure throughout his career.
Kept Jackpot Win Secret From Wife and Colleagues
Mwaniki was on transit when he first received the news that he had correctly predicted all 15 matches and won the KSh102 million jackpot.
However, poor network coverage and security concerns in the area where he was travelling meant he could not immediately stop to check and fully comprehend the message.
He explained that the road conditions and security situation made it difficult to pull over, forcing him to continue with his journey before eventually finding a suitable place to confirm the news.
After stopping and checking the information, he established that he was indeed the winner of the KSh102 million prize.
Even after confirming his victory, Mwaniki chose not to immediately inform his wife or colleagues, opting to keep the news to himself because he wanted to surprise them.
“I didn’t call anyone. Even my colleagues and my wife. I wanted it to be a surprise to them,” he said.
He revealed that his wife and colleagues only learnt about his massive win on Friday, October 30, during his unveiling as the jackpot winner.
His wife was initially surprised by the news, with Mwaniki saying she struggled to believe that he had won such a huge amount of money.
Plans Holiday Before Making Major Decisions
Although the KSh102 million windfall is expected to change his family’s financial circumstances, Mwaniki said he has not settled on what he intends to do with the money.
He wants to take time to assess his options before making major financial commitments, including decisions about his future in the transport industry.
The father of four also disclosed that he intends to take a holiday and spend some time with his wife after years of working long hours.
“I don’t know yet. Maybe I will go down there and do my calculations,” he said when asked about his plans.
He added that he does not intend to immediately abandon trucking, a profession he has practised for more than 20 years.
Mwaniki also acknowledged that the sudden change in his financial circumstances would require him to approach some personal decisions differently.
Asked whether he intended to extend financial assistance to other people, he said he was yet to make such plans but remained open to helping where necessary.
“I haven’t planned anything. Maybe later. I will be open to help,” he said.
For now, his main priority is to secure a better future for his immediate family, particularly his wife and four children.
Two Other Kenyans Win SportPesa Mega Jackpot Bonuses
Mwaniki’s victory also highlighted the different reward categories under the SportPesa Mega Jackpot, with two other participants receiving substantial cash prizes.
Caroline Nyakundi received KSh2.19 million, while Gaudencia Sella walked away with KSh3.5 million in Mega Jackpot bonuses.
Speaking during the winner’s unveiling, SportPesa Head of Marketing Esther Kange’the said Mwaniki’s victory reflected the significance of the competition and the impact the prize could have on a winner’s family.
“Every jackpot winner has a unique story, and Peter’s is particularly special. Behind the KSh102 million prize is a father who has spent years working to provide for his family. We recognise what this moment means to him and those who depend on him, and we hope he uses this opportunity to make thoughtful decisions that will benefit his family for years to come,” she said.
Kange’the congratulated Mwaniki and his family, describing the emergence of a new jackpot winner as a significant moment for the company’s flagship football prediction competition.
For Mwaniki, however, the immediate priority remains balancing his newfound fortune with the life and career he has built over the years.
After more than two decades of navigating difficult roads to provide for his family, the KSh102 million jackpot has given him an opportunity to consider a different future, even if he is not yet ready to put down the steering wheel.