Four Lucky Kenyans Win Tickets to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris

This is courtesy of a partnership between Safaricom (through M-PESA) and VISA, aiming to support Team Kenya during the Olympic Games and give four customers, plus a companion each, the opportunity to experience the 2024 Summer Olympics firsthand.

Nairobi, 30th July 2024

Safaricom, through M-PESA, in partnership with VISA, has today awarded four lucky Kenyans, namely, Mwaniki Munuhe from Nyahururu, Abdirahaman Faysal, Abdinasir Barre and Michael Chege Kariuki from Nairobi with a fully paid trip to Paris for the ongoing Summer Olympic games.

The four won their tickets to Paris in the just-concluded MPESA GlobalPay promotion. They transacted using the M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card to qualify for the weekly draws and later earned the winning spots.

The winners will have an opportunity to be accompanied by a companion of their choice to Paris to enjoy various track and field events while supporting and interacting with their favourite athletes from Kenya and beyond.

“I am a huge fan of the Olympics, but I have never attended any Olympic games in person. This will be a thrilling and historic moment for me, I believe this is the best gift ever Safaricom has offered me. I hope to enjoy and interact with some of my favourite athletes from Kenya and other parts of the world. A big thanks to Safaricom and Visa for making this possible,” said Michael Chege, one of the lucky winners.

The trip package includes flights, accommodation, food, drinks, and stadium tickets for various Olympic events.

Any transaction worth KES 1,500 and above made via the M-PESA GlobalPay Visa Virtual Card through the M-PESA App automatically entered the draw for a chance to win a trip to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I am very excited to win a trip to Paris to cheer and support Team Kenya live. This is a rare opportunity, as it is also my first time attending the Olympics. It is also the first gift I have ever received from any promotion, so I want to thank Safaricom and Visa immensely. I am a big fan of athletics, and I hope this trip will provide my spouse and I, who will be travelling together, with an exemplary and unforgettable experience as we watch our athletes live on the biggest stage in the world,” said Abdinasir Barre.

Beyond giving customers an opportunity to experience the 2024 Olympic games firsthand in Paris, Safaricom is also supporting Team Kenya, committing KES 30 million in cash and kind. This includes travel insurance for athletes, airtime, and data bundles to support Team Kenya. Additionally, Safaricom offered financial literacy workshops for athletes during their camps and workshop sessions.

“We are excited for the four winners who will be travelling to Paris for the Olympic games on a fully catered trip courtesy of our partnership with Visa. We believe in the power of sports to inspire and unite people, and we are honoured to offer Kenyans the opportunity to support their favourite athletes in person. This sponsorship also reflects our commitment to supporting our athletes by empowering them with technological and financial tools. They have worked hard to prepare for the Olympics, and this is our way of ensuring that they are well prepared beyond the stadium, thanks to the financial literacy workshops,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom.

Kenya Athletics Team to Paris 2024 Olympics named after the trials:

Men (22):

100m: Ferdinand Omanyala
400m: Zablon Ekwam
400m hurdles: Wiseman Were
800m: Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Koitatoi Kidali
1,500m: Reynold Kipkorir, Timothy Cheruiyot
3,000m steeplechase: Amos Serem, Simon Koech, Abraham Kibiwott
5,000m: Ronald Kwemoi, Jacob Krop, Edwin Kurgat
10,000m: Daniel Mateiko, Nicholas Kimeli, Bernard Kibet
Race walk: Samuel Gathimba
Marathon: Eliud Kipchoge, Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso. Reserve: Timothy Kiplagat

Women (12):

800m: Lilian Odira, Mary Moraa
1,500m: Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Susan Ejore
5,000m: Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet
10,000m: Beatrice Chebet, Lilian Kasait, Margaret Chelimo
Marathon: Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi

Esther Waititu (R)Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom handing over a dummy flight ticket to Mwaniki Munuhe (left), a winner of a trip to Paris for the Olympic games courtesy of M-Pesa GlobalPay and Visa. The event was held at Safaricom Headquarters in Nairobi.

From left: Eva Ngigi, the Kenyan VISA Country Manager, Mwaniki Munuhe - winner of a trip to Paris for the Olympic games and Esther Waititu -Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom during the ticket handover for the trip to Paris for Olympic games courtesy of M-PESA GlobalPay and VISA at Safaricom Headquarters in Nairobi.

From left: Safaricom HoD Finance Business Partnering, Emmanuel Kiprono Koech (left) Michael Chege Kariuki - winner of a trip to Paris for the Olympic games and Henry Gakami – VISA’s Business Development Director during the official ticket handover to Paris for Olympic games courtesy of M-PESA GlobalPay and VISA.