Kenyan Government Reveals How It Planned IShowSpeed’s Visit

Kenya’s government has outlined how it worked with the team of American YouTuber IShowSpeed to structure his January visit, allowing local communities to shape the programme while promoting the country to a global audience.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said her ministry engaged Speed’s management early, after he announced his “Speed Does Africa” tour. Speaking in September 2025, she explained that officials met with organisers to align his schedule with activities that reflected Kenya’s priorities and public expectations.

Miano said the government adopted a facilitative role rather than directing the visit. This approach was intended to ensure that Kenyans themselves influenced the itinerary, presenting an authentic image of the country while maximising international exposure.

Speed visited Nairobi on 11 January, spending about five hours moving between Kenyatta Market, Mukuru and the Nairobi National Park orphanage. At the market, he sampled foods including ugali and chapati, took part in cooking demonstrations and interacted with large crowds. His use of M-Pesa to pay for goods stood out during the stream, highlighting Kenya’s position as a leader in mobile money services.

At the Nairobi National Park orphanage, Speed named a baby rhino “Rhinaldo”, a reference to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Miano said the gesture carried symbolic value and could support future conservation efforts by encouraging visitors to engage more directly with wildlife tourism.

The live broadcast from Kenya attracted more than 8.5 million viewers and generated about 500,000 new subscribers. Officials said the stream presented Kenya as modern and accessible, reaching younger international audiences through digital platforms rather than traditional media.

Kenya was one of roughly 20 countries on Speed’s 28-day African tour, which began on 29 December 2025. However, officials described the Nairobi visit as a key moment. A beaded bracelet he received during the trip has remained with him throughout the tour, which he has referenced as a personal connection to the country.

Later in Lagos, Nigeria, Speed marked his 21st birthday by surpassing 50 million YouTube subscribers, becoming the first Black creator to reach that figure. His short stay in Nigeria included visits to local markets, food tastings and traditional dance performances.