From long-haul roads to a turning point: Driver reflects after multi-million windfall

Millionaire Sadiq Kamulali

For years, Sadiq Kamulali’s life has revolved around long-distance trucking days on the road and time away from his young family.

Now, the father of two is pausing to reassess his priorities after a recent multi-million shilling windfall from a bet placed on the betting platform BetPawa.

Sadiq says the moment did not feel real at first. After the outcome was confirmed, he briefly switched off his phone to take in what had happened.

“I was calm on the outside, but inside I was very happy. It made me reflect on my life,” he says.

But beyond the money, it is the time he has lost with his children that weighs most heavily.

“I have missed important moments with my children. Now I want to be present,” he explains.

Rather than making rushed decisions, Sadiq says he plans to invest in a business to create a more stable source of income and reduce time spent away from home. The windfall, he adds, is not an invitation to abandon work, but an opportunity to reset.

“Don’t leave your job to focus on betting. If you win, invest wisely, but it should never be pressure,” he says.

His story comes amid growing concern over betting habits in the country, particularly among young people and low-income earners.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board has, in the past, cautioned against excessive gambling, urging Kenyans to treat betting as a form of entertainment rather than a source of income.

Even as stories like Sadiq’s highlight the possibility of sudden financial gain, experts warn that such outcomes are rare and unpredictable.

For Sadiq, however, the real shift is personal; a chance to rebuild his life with family at its centre, and to turn an unexpected moment into long-term stability.