The Kenyan government has finally unveiled the behind-the-scenes strategy that made American YouTuber and social media influencer IShowSpeed’s visit sensation.
Tourism and Wildlife cabinet secretary Madam Rebecca Miano disclosed that the government took a facilitative role, allowing Kenyans to curate the streamer’s itinerary based on online expectations.
Speed visited Kenya in early January 2026 as part of his 28-day “Speed Does Africa” tour, which began on December 29, 2025.
His Kenya stream became one of his best performances, attracting more than 8.5 million live viewers and more than 500,000 YouTube subscribers, challenging negative stereotypes about Africa to a global audience.
CS Miano revealed that the government reached out to Speed’s management and organizers after he announced his Africa tour, knowing Kenyans had high expectations for his visit.
“We reached out to the managers and the organizers, who came here to the office. We started discussing his tour. We synchronised their calendar and what we think would meet Kenya’s expectations,” revealed Miano.
Between 12 noon and 5 pm on January 11, Speed toured the Kenyatta Market, Mukuru, and the Nairobi National Park orphanage in a tightly packed schedule.
At Kenyatta Market, he sampled ugali and chapati, learned to cook local dishes, and interacted with massive crowds who turned out to welcome him.
The streamer also paid for items using M-Pesa, Kenya’s mobile money platform, which left him mesmerized by the country’s technological advancement.
“The tour of Kenyatta Market, the activities that were there, and going to see Mukuru. He negotiated for the prices, then he paid with M-Pesa. You know, many countries don’t even have mobile money,” stated Miano.
Speed named a baby rhino “Rhinaldo” after football star Cristiano Ronaldo during his visit to the Nairobi National Park orphanage facility.
The naming was special to Kenyans, and Miano said they hope more international visitors will return to name other baby elephants and rhinos.
While streaming live in Lagos on January 21, Speed reached 50 million YouTube subscribers, becoming the first Black creator to achieve this milestone on his 21st birthday.
IShowSpeed wrapped up his Nigeria tour on January 22 before heading to Benin, marking a short but memorable stay in Lagos that saw him explore local markets, sample Nigerian cuisine, and take part in traditional dance sessions.
His 28-day ”Speed Does Africa” tour kicked off on December 29, 2025, taking him across about 20 countries, including Kenya, where IShowSpeed received a beaded bracelet that he has continued to wear throughout the journey.
