By Prudence Minayo
Joining the millionaires club is an elusive dream most Kenyans are busy chasing. This dream became a reality for Gordon Ogada when the gods of betting smiled at him after he correctly predicted 17 matches and went on to win the Sh230,742, 881 Sportpesa mega jackpot in 2018. This was the highest amount ever won in the country eclipsing Samuel Abisai’s win the previous year.
The win was the biggest highlight in the life of a man who was once holed up in the slums of Kibra. During his unveiling ceremony, he was in the company of his wife and their two children as they were chauffeured from Kibera to carnivore restaurant in a convoy of sleek vehicles led by a dozen motorcycles.
“God has answered our prayers. One of us is very rich, I am sure he will help us to improve our lives,” said one of the motorbike riders. The man of the hour was also happy saying his life and that of his family would change for the better from then on.
Here is the story of Gordon Ogada as told by WoK.
Losing the money
Five months after winning the money, he confessed to The Standard that he was broke. According to Ogada, he had pumped this money into long-term projects including properties and cars. He also upgraded the living conditions of his parents back in Migori county. However, in another article on the Daily Nation soon after he won quotes him saying he lost his parents twenty years ago.
A lot of people would think the money won was a lot and there is no way he would have depleted all of it. Ogada, however, told the Standard he did not have money floating around as most people thought.
Also Read: Cosmas Korir: How 2018 SportPesa Jackpot Winner Invested His Sh208 million Fortune
“There is a misconception that I am moneyed. The truth is I don’t have the money. I know it’s hard to believe,” he said. The jackpot winners stated that most of his relatives did not believe he was broke but that was their problem not his. Apparently, the investments quickly drained his finances.
“It’s been five months since I won the money. I put virtually the whole amount into long-term investments. I don’t have money just floating like many people want to believe. I am broke most of the time,” he told the Nairobian.
Pressed by the Standard to explain what chopped his fortune, Ogada said:
“I bought a house here in the city and a few cars, besides other investments here and there,” he told the publication.
Asked what he would do differently, he answered:
“Of course. I may have made a few mistakes here and there. But largely, I did fine. I think I would be more responsible.”
Stately House
Undercover Africa reported that among the properties Ogada bought was a house in Royale Finesse, a gated community in Kajiado county. A house in the community at the time cost up to Sh19 million. Also reportedly living in the area is Samuel Abisai who won 221 million in 2017 from Sportpesa.
Also Read: Paul Wanderi Ndung’u: Troubled Billionaire Who Was Kicked Out Of Sportpesa
Uplifting His Community
While Ogada gave an interview saying he was broke, a piece by Cleaner magazine in 2020 credited him for helping change people’s lives. According to the article, Gordon has fully sponsored 56 students from various wards to secondary school. He has also done reconnaissance operations and fully planned to sink 14 boreholes in Nyatike Constituency
Future plans
Gordon Ogada told The Standard he was ashamed by the fact that he was at times very broke. He also admitted to having made some mistakes. He, however, said his love for betting had not dwindled. He hoped that he would get lucky once again by predicting correct matches and winning another jackpot. He hoped that if he won again, he would spend the money wisely.
