Popular American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed has landed in Kenya as part of his ambitious 28-day in-real-life (IRL) tour across Africa dubbed “Speed Does Africa.” President William Ruto welcomed the global content creator to the country on Sunday, describing Kenya as a vibrant and unique destination. In a video message shared online, the Head of State praised the country’s energy and culture, telling Speed that Kenya is more than just a place. It is an experience.
The visit marks one of the most significant moments of Speed’s African tour so far. Born Darren Jason Watkins Jr., the 20-year-old streamer went live for his 13th African stream on Sunday morning, kicking off the day with a visit to Upper Hill School, where he interacted with students and even joined in a rugby game. Later, Speed headed to Kenyatta Market, where he was met by a huge crowd of excited fans eager to catch a glimpse of the internet star. His presence quickly brought traffic to a standstill as supporters followed him through the city.
The streamer also toured Nairobi National Park, where he experienced Kenya’s rich wildlife up close, feeding animals including a hyena, lions, a leopard, and a cheetah. His movements were accompanied by enthusiastic fans, some of whom escorted him on motorcycles along Lang’ata Road in a dramatic show of admiration. Chants of “We love you, IShowSpeed!” echoed as he made his way to the iconic Carnivore Restaurant, where he sampled a wide variety of meats. During the livestream, Speed revealed that his Kenyan stream recorded the highest single-stream subscriber growth since the start of his African tour.
We’re about to hit 47.9 million subscribers. No other country on this tour has added this many subscribers in one stream. Kenya is number one right now
IshowspeedSpeed began his continental journey in South Africa, where he famously raced a cheetah, before exploring the culture and traditions of countries such as Mozambique, Botswana, and Angola. During his first visit to Kenya, the streamer is expected to tour key landmarks and interact with notable personalities. His content highlighting the warmth and hospitality he has received across Africa has sparked widespread online discussion, with many viewers saying it challenges long-standing stereotypes portraying the continent as unsafe. Kenyan fans have continued to turn out in large numbers to welcome him. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano also extended a warm reception, encouraging Speed to explore local cuisine and visit top tourist attractions including the Maasai Mara and other national parks.
