American content creator and global internet sensation IShowSpeed has arrived in Kenya as part of his ambitious 28-day in-real-life (IRL) African tour dubbed Speed Does Africa.
President William Ruto on Sunday officially welcomed the streamer to the country, describing Kenya as a place of deep energy and identity. “Kenya is not just another country; Kenya is a pulse, a feeling. Kenya is home. This is Magical Kenya,” President Ruto said in a video message shared with Speed.
Born Darren Jason Watkins Jr, the 20-year-old star aired his 13th live stream of the tour on Sunday morning, beginning with a visit to Upper Hill School, where he interacted with students and even took part in a rugby game, much to their excitement.
He later headed to Kenyatta Market, where a massive crowd of fans gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of the globally revered streamer. His presence brought traffic to a standstill as fans chanted his name and followed his convoy through the city.
Speed’s Kenyan experience also included a visit to Nairobi National Park, where he fed wildlife including a hyena, lions, a leopard, and a cheetah. His tour through Lang’ata Road turned into a spectacle as fans on motorcycles escorted him, shouting messages of admiration and support.
“We love you IShowSpeed,” fans could be heard chanting as he made his way to the iconic Carnivore Restaurant, where he sampled a wide variety of meat dishes.
During the stream, Speed revealed that Kenya had recorded the highest subscriber growth of his entire African tour so far. “We are about to hit 47.9 million. I don’t think you understand how crazy that is. No other country so far in this tour has been able to gain this amount of subs in one stream. Kenya is so far number one,” he said.
Speed began his African journey in South Africa, where he famously raced a cheetah, before immersing himself in the cultures of Mozambique, Botswana, and Angola. His first visit to Kenya will see him tour key destinations across the country and meet various prominent personalities.
His livestreams and social media posts highlighting warm hospitality and vibrant local culture have sparked widespread online conversations, with many observers noting that they challenge long-standing stereotypes portraying Africa as unsafe for visitors.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano also welcomed the streamer, encouraging him to enjoy Kenyan delicacies and explore world-renowned attractions such as the Maasai Mara and other national parks.
As Speed continues his African adventure, his Kenyan stop has already proven to be one of the most memorable and impactful legs of the tour, both for his fans and for the country’s global image.
