From Suspension to Celebration: Kenya’s Biggest Jackpot Win
In February 2018, Gordon Paul Ogada became a household name in Kenya when he won an unprecedented KES 230,742,881 in the SportPesa Mega Jackpot—the biggest gambling payout in Kenya’s history at that time. What makes his story even more remarkable is that it came at the darkest moment of his life.
The Darkest Hour Before Dawn
Just weeks before his life-changing win, Ogada, then 33 years old, had been suspended from his job at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) where he had worked for a decade. The suspension came after allegations from another employee, and the news devastated him.
“I called my wife and cried,” Ogada recalled. He had worked his way up from a Field Community Interviewer in Kibera slums in 2010 to Field Supervisor by 2015, and now it all seemed to be crumbling.
The Winning Slip
Despite his troubles, Ogada continued his routine of analyzing football matches and placing bets. On that fateful weekend, he staked just KES 100 on 17 football matches in the SportPesa Mega Jackpot. His friend Jeff, trying to take his mind off the suspension, encouraged him to go out and not focus on the bet.
The next morning, Ogada woke up to discover he had correctly predicted 13 out of 17 matches that had already been played. The tension mounted as more results came in. By Sunday evening, he had 15 matches correct. Then came the Monaco vs Lyon match—Lyon took a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime, just as Ogada had predicted.
The Postponed Match Drama
There was one complication: game number 11, Troyes vs Dijon, had been postponed. This could have been a moment of uncertainty, but the betting company held a public draw to determine the outcome. When the draw concluded with a home win—exactly as Ogada had predicted—history was made.
The winning combination was: 2,1,2,2,1,2,1,X,1,2,1,2,2,1,X,1,1.
All 17 predictions were correct.
The Unveiling Ceremony
SportPesa organized a grand unveiling ceremony at Carnivore restaurant. Samuel Abisai, who had won KES 221 million in May 2017, was part of the delegation that went to pick up Ogada from his hotel. The convoy of sleek vehicles, including a stretch Chrysler limousine, drove through Ogada’s Kibera neighborhood.
In scenes that became legendary, Ogada threw money out of the limousine window to cheering crowds—a gesture that captured the imagination of many but would later draw criticism.
A Man with a Mission
During his unveiling, Ogada shared his difficult journey. His mother died in 1997 and his father in 2000, leaving him and his siblings in the care of their stepmother, Roselinda. “I always say that this was God’s gift to me and I am forever grateful,” he stated.
True to his word, Ogada’s first project was building a house for Roselinda, the stepmother who had raised him. “They told him, Gordon, now that money has entered our home, it is important that we remain God-fearing because God caused this,” she recalled advising him.
Investment and Philanthropy
Contrary to the stereotype of jackpot winners squandering their money, Ogada invested wisely:
- Built a magnificent mansion in Migori County, reportedly costing KES 20 million
- Acquired a fleet of luxury vehicles including a white Mercedes Benz and an SUV
- Sponsored 56 students from various wards in his hometown to attend secondary school
- Made numerous long-term investments
The “I’m Broke” Controversy
Just five months after his win, in July 2018, Ogada made headlines again by claiming he was broke. “I don’t have money just floating like many people want to believe. I am broke most of the time,” he told The Nairobian.
Many were shocked, but Ogada explained: “The many investments drained me. I put virtually the whole amount into long-term investments.” Later, it became clear that this was partly a strategic move to escape the constant limelight and endless requests for financial help from friends and relatives.
“After this kind of spending, I honestly feel embarrassed because sometimes I don’t even have a dime. I am no longer able to help my friends and relatives financially. They think I have loads of cash, when in real sense, I don’t have money floating around,” he admitted.
Breaking Records
Ogada’s win broke Samuel Abisai’s previous record of KES 221 million from May 2017. At the time, it was the third time the SportPesa Mega Jackpot had been won, following three lucky winners who shared KES 111,176,374 in May 2017.
Interestingly, on the same night that Abisai won his KES 221 million jackpot in 2017, Ogada also won KES 50,000—a sign, perhaps, of things to come.
Life After the Win
Ogada has remained active in betting, using his laptop and WiFi to analyze games daily. “I have intensified my football match analyses in a bid to win another jackpot. This time round, I will be more responsible with my spending,” he said in an interview.
From his new home in Nyatike, Migori County, Ogada can now give his children “the life I would only wish for when I was growing up.” His story serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale—showing that while luck can change your circumstances overnight, wisdom in managing that fortune determines whether the change is lasting.
Lessons from Gordon Ogada’s Story
- Timing is everything: His win came precisely when he needed it most
- Invest wisely: Despite initial appearances, Ogada put his money into long-term assets
- Remember your roots: His first priority was honoring the woman who raised him
- Give back: Sponsoring 56 students showed his commitment to community development
- Stay grounded: Managing sudden wealth and public attention requires strategy and wisdom
Gordon Ogada’s journey from a suspended KEMRI employee to Kenya’s biggest jackpot winner remains one of the most compelling rags-to-riches stories in Kenyan betting history. His KES 230 million win proved that sometimes, when everything seems lost, fortune can arrive in the most unexpected way.
For anyone inspired by Ogada’s story, remember: while betting can change lives, it should always be done responsibly and within one’s means. Gordon’s KES 100 stake was within his budget, and he had a system of analyzing games rather than gambling blindly.
