Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has hailed the visit of American streaming sensation iShowSpeed as a significant boost for Kenya’s tourism image.
In a statement on her X account on Sunday, January 11, 2026, she highlighted that the influencer’s activities in the country have provided a unique platform to present both Kenya and the wider African continent to a global audience in an engaging, real-time format.
Miano noted that the visit allows Africa to tell its own story through the lens of one of the world’s most followed digital content creators. She emphasised that iShowSpeed’s presence is helping to reshape Kenya’s image beyond the traditional perception of being just a safari destination.
Instead, the country is now being seen as a vibrant hub of diverse cultures, bustling cities, rich cuisine, adventurous experiences, and warm, welcoming people.
The Tourism Cabinet Secretary also pointed out that the massive turnout of Kenyans to welcome the influencer demonstrates the country’s enthusiasm and engagement with global digital trends.
“Magical Kenya shines as IShowSpeed tours Africa, turning our story into realtime experience. He is reshaping Kenya’s image from safari hub to a melting pot of cultures, vibrant cities, great cuisine, amazing people and adventure. Indeed, we are the Origin of Wonder,” she wrote on X.
Adding;
“Today we are hosting iShowSpeed, one of the greatest influencers on YouTube and in social media. We are very grateful to see that Kenyans have come out in their numbers, but this opportunity gives Africa a platform to showcase stories that are never told: the beauty of Africa, the people, the culture and our hospitality.”
IShowSpeed in Kenya
The United States-born streamer, Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known online as iShowSpeed, is in Kenya as part of his month-long “Speed Does Africa” tour, a livestream journey across nearly 20 African countries aimed at highlighting the continent’s cultures, people, landscapes and creative scenes to his millions of followers.
Speed’s arrival in Nairobi on Sunday drew massive crowds at every stop. He began his day at Upper Hill School, interacting with students and even taking part in activities with the Kenya Rugby team, before moving on to Kenyatta Market, where he was warmly welcomed by traders and shoppers.
At Kenyatta Market, he surprised a vendor by paying Ksh20,000 for a T-shirt marked at Ksh3,000, a gesture that was widely shared across social media and praised as generous by fans and Kenyans watching his livestream.
His tour included visits to Nairobi National Park, where he saw wildlife up close, tried local cuisine, and experienced city life, including Nairobi’s unique matatu culture. The streamer also enjoyed local dishes such as ugali and nyama choma, expressing admiration for Kenyan food and hospitality.
During the livestream from Kenya, Speed achieved a record surge in YouTube subscribers, gaining hundreds of thousands in a single day and pushing his channel past 48 million subscribers, a milestone he described as the result of the overwhelming support he received in the country.
President William Ruto welcomed him with a video message, inviting him to explore the wonders of Kenya and experience its attractions.
