A 20-year-old American internet sensation, IShowSpeed, has taken Africa by storm following his recent tour of at least eight countries on the continent.
South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and most recently Kenya, are among the African countries he has visited.
His Kenyan tour on Sunday, January 11 was something special.
First, President William Ruto welcomed him to the East African nation via a viral video on TikTok.
“Jambo, IShowSpeed. Welcome to Kenya, karibu Kenya. Kenya is not just another country, Kenya is a pulse, a feeling, Kenya is home,” President Ruto said.
IShowSpeed, alias Speed, livestreamed his public procession in the heart of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, with dozens of youth in tow.
A visit to the city’s national park, a tour of a major market, a helicopter ride over Nairobi, and an experience of Kenya’s vibrant public transport culture marked the YouTuber’s colourful trip to the often energetic country.
IShowSpeed is in Africa for a 28-day tour of the continent, beginning December 29.
His Kenyan trip set new standards, including gaining more than 360,000 new followers from YouTube livestream of his activities in the country.
The new followers ensured that he crossed the 48-million YouTube subscriber mark.
At the same time, more than 200,000 people were actively following his minute-by-minute livestream.
Acknowledging Kenya’s immense show of support, IShowSpeed said during his livestream: “I love you all so much. Kenya, we will never forget you.”
But who exactly is IShowSpeed?
He has one of the most-followed YouTube channels globally, with over 48 million followers.