Kenyan Lecturer Wins Fully Sponsored Asia Trip in Old Mutual Wellbeing Challenge

A 29-year-old Kenyan lecturer has won a fully sponsored 15-day trip across four Asian destinations.

This comes after recording the greatest improvement in her overall wellbeing in an Old Mutual Thrive challenge that attracted 836 participants.

Wangari Mutuku earned the travel reward after demonstrating the strongest improvement in her Thrive Score during the Old Mutual Thrive Your Way to Asia challenge, which ran from August 1 to August 23, 2026.

The challenge encouraged participants to adopt healthier lifestyles by increasing physical activity, improving sleep patterns, reducing sedentary time and taking practical steps to improve their financial wellbeing.

Unlike competitions that select winners through random draws, the initiative rewarded measurable improvements in participants’ wellbeing, recognising consistency and positive behavioural change.

As the overall winner, Wangari will visit Thailand, Singapore, Bali and Malaysia in a fully sponsored package covering return flights, accommodation, airport transfers, visa facilitation and itinerary coordination.

She said the Old Mutual Thrive platform appealed to her because it allowed her to monitor physical activity, nutrition and financial wellbeing through a single application, with smartwatch connectivity making it easier to track her progress.

“I joined Thrive because I wanted to keep track of my wellbeing. I liked being able to see my physical activity, nutrition and financial wellbeing in one place, and connecting my smartwatch made tracking my progress easier,” she said.

The challenge also encouraged her to pay closer attention to her diet and expand her exercise routine beyond running to include swimming.

“The challenge made me more conscious of what I eat and how it affects my physical health. I’ve also started swimming alongside running. I’m excited to explore new places and experience running and exercising in different climates,” Wangari added.

According to Old Mutual, the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to encourage Kenyans to take a more proactive approach to managing their physical and financial wellbeing through technology, behavioural change and incentives.

Janet Waiyaki, Head of Thrive and Ecosystem at Old Mutual, said Wangari’s achievement demonstrated the benefits of making consistent improvements to everyday habits.

“What excites us most is not the destination itself, but what it took to get there. Wangari made consistent, intentional improvements to her daily habits and wellbeing, and her achievement demonstrates what is possible when people commit to positive change,” Waiyaki said.

“Through Thrive, we are helping Kenyans take practical steps towards healthier and more financially secure lives while recognising the progress they make along the way.”

The campaign recorded significant participation in physical activity, with participants collectively taking 70.7 million steps, equivalent to approximately 53,000 kilometres or 1.3 times the Earth's circumference.

Participants also logged 4,919 hours of exercise, while 514 recorded at least 10,000 steps. The results further showed that 45 per cent of participants averaged at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, while half reported sleeping between seven and nine hours per night.

The figures point to the potential of digital platforms to encourage healthier routines by helping users monitor their progress and participate in structured challenges.

Through the Old Mutual Thrive app, users can assess their financial wellbeing, monitor physical wellness and take part in activities designed to promote healthier everyday behaviours. The platform incorporates tools such as a Financial Wellbeing Assessment and a Money Personality Quiz to help users better understand their financial habits.

The partnership with Wavu Travels has also introduced travel as an incentive for participants who demonstrate progress in their wellbeing.

Winnie Muthoga, Director of Wavu Travels, said the initiative connects personal achievement with the opportunity to discover new destinations and experiences.

“Travel creates memories, broadens perspectives and inspires new possibilities. Through our partnership with Old Mutual Thrive, we are connecting the excitement of discovering new destinations with the personal achievement of improving one's wellbeing,” Muthoga said.

“We are delighted to celebrate Wangari's success and be part of a journey that recognises commitment, discipline and growth.”

The latest award marks the third international travel experience offered through the Old Mutual Thrive and Wavu Travels partnership in 2026, following two earlier travel rewards.

Old Mutual said Thrive has more than 270,000 registered users, reflecting the platform’s growing reach in promoting informed decisions around health, finances and overall wellbeing.

The Asia challenge reinforces the programme’s approach of combining digital tools, measurable progress and incentives to make personal wellbeing more engaging, while encouraging participants to build habits that can extend beyond the duration of a competition.