Loaded Goodies As Safaricom Launches Second Leg Of M-PESA Sokoni Festival In Rift Valley

Safaricom has officially kicked off the second leg of its vibrant M-PESA Sokoni Festival in the Rift Valley region, as part of the celebrations marking 18 years since the revolutionary mobile money service was launched in Kenya.

The week-long activation, which is running under the theme ‘Maisha Fiti, Biz Shwari’, is a continuation of the telco’s efforts to reward, engage, and empower Kenyans through entertainment, education, and digital inclusion.

Following the success of the first leg held in the Coast region in June, the Rift Valley edition commenced on Monday morning in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, with an energetic launch event that blended entertainment with valuable giveaways.

Locals turned up in large numbers to experience the festive atmosphere, and many walked away with exciting prizes, including shopping vouchers, home electronics, cash awards, branded merchandise, and surprise goodies through the fan-favourite game show, “M-PESA or the Box.”

Speaking during the launch, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa expressed his excitement about bringing the M-PESA experience to new regions across the country.

“We began our M-PESA Sokoni Festival tour in the Coast region in June, and now we are thrilled to bring the excitement to Rift Valley,” said Ndegwa. “As part of the M-PESA@18 celebrations, we’re treating our customers to a variety of gifts, entertainment, as well as other engaging forums.”

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The colorful M-PESA caravan is set to snake its way across several Rift Valley towns throughout the week, including Matunda, Moi’s Bridge, Kitale, Eldoret, Baringo, and Nakuru. At every stop, Safaricom is hosting activations that combine entertainment with education—an intentional move to not only celebrate but also empower communities in meaningful ways.

Beyond the fanfare and fun, the M-PESA Sokoni Festival is also a platform for capacity building. One of the highlights of the activation is the Safire Connect Forum, which offers participants practical sessions on digital skills and financial wellness.

These forums are specifically tailored to support entrepreneurs, small business owners, and job seekers who are navigating the evolving digital economy. Attendees are equipped with tools and insights to help them grow their businesses, manage their finances better, and take full advantage of Safaricom’s digital ecosystem.

Midweek, attention will shift to community upliftment initiatives spearheaded by the M-PESA Foundation. On Wednesday, the foundation will launch Phase 7 of the Ndoto Zetu Programme, an initiative that funds grassroots projects aimed at solving pressing social challenges across the country. Since its inception, Ndoto Zetu has supported thousands of community-driven projects in education, health, and economic empowerment.

Also taking centre stage on Wednesday is the Wezesha Mama programme, which targets women with digital and financial literacy training. The initiative goes a step further by providing women with access to seed capital, enabling them to start or expand their businesses, and ultimately secure financial independence.

The second leg of the M-PESA Sokoni Festival embodies the transformative spirit of M-PESA—a service that began as a simple money transfer solution but has now evolved into a vital lifeline for millions of Kenyans. Through celebrations like these, Safaricom is not just marking a milestone but reinforcing its commitment to uplifting communities, bridging digital divides, and powering possibilities for every Kenyan.

As the week unfolds, more towns will be lit up with the sounds of celebration, learning, and opportunity—all under the banner of ‘Maisha Fiti, Biz Shwari’. Safaricom is proving once again that even as it celebrates its past, it is still focused on shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for the people it serves.

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