Hope Restored as Boda Boda Rider Wins Million in Kisumu

At sunrise in Katitu, Kisumu County, Jacob Ochieng’s day usually begins the same way: with the rumble of his boda boda as he sets out to ferry passengers along dusty, bumpy roads. 

For years, Jacob has relied on this daily hustle to feed his family, though more often than not, the earnings were meager.

“Sometimes you go home with just 200 shillings after a long day,” Jacob said softly, recalling the struggles that have defined his life as a rider. “But you keep pushing because your family is looking up to you.”

His wife, Caroline, knows those struggles too well. Juggling household expenses, she often faced impossible choices between school fees and meals. “We have always believed that one day things would change for us,” she said, tears threatening to roll as she stood by her husband.

That change finally came, but in a way neither of them could have imagined. During a short break, Jacob bought a soda, unsuspecting that under the bottle cap was a ticket to a new reality: a cheque worth one million shillings.

“When I realized I had actually won, I could not believe it. I kept checking the message over and over,” Jacob said, still wearing the wide smile of disbelief. For him, the prize is more than money,  it is a lifeline. His first plan is clear: ensure his children receive a good education and invest in a small business to sustain his family long term.

Caroline described the moment as a release from years of pressure. “This is not just money. It is hope. It is peace of mind. It is an opportunity for us to finally think about the future with less fear.”

Word of Jacob’s win spread quickly across Katitu. Neighbors, fellow boda boda riders, and shopkeepers gathered to celebrate one of their own. 

“We are proud of him,” said a fellow rider. “He is one of us, and seeing him win shows that even in our daily struggles, good things can happen.”

A local shopkeeper added, “It’s not every day that someone from our community wins such a prize. This shows that luck and blessings can reach anyone, no matter their background.”

Only later did Jacob and Caroline learn that their fortune came through the Funua Flava Pata Mita campaign, a national promotion run by Coca-Cola. Company representatives were present during the handover ceremony in Katitu, including CCBA’s Regional Sales Manager for Nyanza, Winnie Maina, who said the campaign was designed to reward loyal customers in ways that make a real difference.

“Jacob’s story shows how small moments can have a big impact,” she said.

CCBA’s Experiential Manager, Ampher Apidi, echoed the sentiment: “When we see families like Jacob’s benefiting, it reminds us that our work goes beyond refreshing people,  it touches lives.”

For Jacob, though, the celebration is not about a corporate initiative. It is about rewriting his family’s story. “Life has taught me that struggles don’t last forever,” he said, standing with Caroline as neighbors cheered. “This is just the beginning for us.”