SportPesa Mega Jackpot winner Bonnie Kamau with his wife Veronica Wahu, and SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri during grand unveiling at JW Marriot Hotel on August 13, 2025 // DOUGLAS OKIDDYThe wife of Bonnie Kamau, a transport logistics operator, thought her husband was out of his mind when he asked what her dream car was.
That was two weeks ago when Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri called Kamau to deliver the news.
Kamau was unveiled on Wednesday as the winner of Kenya’s biggest ever jackpot of Sh424,660,618.
He won the prize after correctly predicting all 17 matches in a Sportpesa draw, making him the first person to win the SportPesa Mega Jackpot since 2018.
He said he had spent Sh500. Kamau has been betting with Sportpesa for 10 years, with the highest amount he ever won being Sh171,000.
Kamau yesterday said that after Karauri delivered the news, he did not inform anyone for one hour and 30 minutes. He then called his wife.
"She told me to stop joking and hang up the call," he said.
He called thrice before his wife finally believed him. He then broke the news to his mother, who broke down.
"Unajua damu tu...(You know the power of kinship)," he joked.
Kamau has not decided what to do with the money, but has already quit his job. His wife still runs a shop in Nakuru.
In an audio shared by Sportpesa, CEO Karauri calls Kamau to deliver the news.
"Sasa wewe ndio umeshinda mega jackpot tu bana (Man, you are the winner of the mega jackpot)," Karauri announced, specifying the exact amount.
Karauri went ahead and informed the man that the withholding tax on winnings had been removed.
This meant the entire colossal sum would be deposited directly into his bank account.
"So, hii pesa yote inaingia kwa mfuko yako (All this money is yours),” Karauri said.
Kamau, however, remained calm and humble despite the life-changing news.
"Unajua ningekuwa yaani nimeumbwa vitofauti sana.Na vitu zingine ni God hata huwezi jua yaani wacha tu tuseme ni God (You know I am built differently. Some things can only be attributed to God),” Kamau said.
Following his win, Kamau visited his home in Nakuru via a flight sponsored by SportPesa.
"Nafeel nilideserve kuwin hii mega jackpot (I feel like I deserved to win this mega jackpot)," he said, attributing it all to God.
"I know God always got me. He is the reason I won," he said calmly.
Yesterday, he was casually dressed in a faded pair of jeans and a black half jacket.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, SportPesa PR manager Willis Ojwang' recalled how he has been awaiting the unveiling of the mega jackpot winner.
Seemingly settling critics wondering if the SportPesa Mega Jackpot is real, Ojwang' assured that "we manufacture real millionaires".
Kamau has now joined the small circle of SportPesa’s most celebrated winners. The first to clinch the mega jackpot was Samuel Abisai in April 2017, walking away with Sh221,301,602. A month later, three people — Daniel Rono, Geoffrey Keitany, and Florence Machogu — shared the jackpot.
In February 2018, Gordon Ogada set a national record by pocketing Sh230,742,881, a title he held for years.
Ogada yesterday said he binged on the Sh30 million and invested the remaining Sh200 million in a money market scheme.
“I also advise Kamau to paint the city red with the Sh24 million but wisely invest the rest,” he said.
The next major win came in September 2018, when Cosmas Korir secured Sh208,733,619.
Kamau’s triumph not only puts him in this elite group but also breaks the record for the largest SportPesa Mega Jackpot win ever, setting a new milestone in the company’s history.
He advised parents not to bet with school fees and urged them to bet responsibly, and if necessary, with the balance after fee payment.
Kamau has said he will continue betting, stating that winning the mega jackpot was not a reason to quit.
"I love SportPesa. I will continue betting," he said. "You don't stop siring children simply because you have an older one. So, we continue."
Commenting on safe betting, Kamau said it is important to analyse and pray.
"I am a Catholic. That morning before betting, I prayed. I told God to give me this one. So, you must pray and also work hard on the analysis," he said.
SportPesa CEO Karauri urged regulation, noting that there is a need to ensure
that gamblers do not end up being addicts.
