Ms Sara Okuoro, the lucky winner of a Toyota Vitz.
A Standard Digital journalist is the winner of a Toyota Vitz worth Sh650,000 after successfully participating in the Unilever new store opening with Shoprite.
Sara Okuoro, who walked away with a brand new car on Saturday was among the thousands who took part in the promotion that ran between March 21 and May 4, 2019, at Garden City Mall in Nairobi.
Ms Okuoro bought Omo, Vaseline and Royco at Shoprite, the key household items required for one to enter the draw.
When reached out for a comment, the lucky winner who only participated once, was still surprised.
“I’m still shocked, especially because it's often said that you have to enter a draw several times to increase your chances of winning, I only entered the draw once and I totally forgot about it,” she said.
“I entered the draw as a joke. I had gone to see the Shoprite store for the first time since it opened. I just wanted to see the supermarket. Then my boyfriend pointed out the car and when I saw the requirements, I entered the competition because it made sense now that I use those things every day anyway,” she claimed.
A Unilever staff Nimrod hands Sara Okuoro the keys to the car.
Ms Okuoro bought the items about one month ago and when Unilever and Shoprite reached out to her after the unexpected win, she thought they were conmen who randomly call people. She also mistook it for a prank.
“I never believed people genuinely win these competitions... Now I do. In fact 100 per cent of everyone who heard the news and congratulated me personally said... Kumbe watu hushinda hizi vitu ukweli? (So people actually win in these promotions),” she said.
“After I got the news, I told my boyfriend first, then after we saw the car, I told my family and two of my friends (both journalists) but I swore them to secrecy because I just wanted time to process the news first. I sent them the videos of the call at the mall and of the grand draw,” she added.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Unilever Kenya Shopper Marketing Manager, Wangechi Gitahi, congratulated and thanked the winner for their loyalty and support.
“We are extremely delighted for this opportunity to change the life of Sarah Okuoro as a way of thanking her for the unwavering support. Today’s draw, though a small gesture, is the beginning of a long relationship with our Shoprite Garden City customers aimed at improving their livelihoods and creating a bright future,” said Wangechi
Unilever has partnered with retailers such as Shoprite to create a purpose-led business model by leveraging on its sustainable brands focused on how best to engage with customers.
In line with its Sustainability Living Plan, Unilever aims to improve the lives of many more Kenyans by providing quality and purposeful brands as well as leveraging on powerful partnerships such as this one.
“Our 35 million customers have played a large role in our company becoming Africa’s largest supermarket retailer. We regard them as members of our families, our neighbours and our friends, and we want to make sure they leave our stores satisfied,” the company said in a statement.
Ms Okuoro urged Kenyans to participate in the promotions and try out their luck.
“I urge everyone to just try their luck and follow their gut when it comes to draws and competitions. But be smart about it, don't finish all your resources banking on the hope of winning a competition. To be honest, I only entered because the requirements are things I use on a daily basis. The reason I didn't keep going back for more is because, I'd have to be doing some kind of "witchcraft" to have finished all those products by myself in under a week,” she said.
