American social media sensation iShowSpeed is set to visit the Maasai Mara next, bringing his high-energy Kenya tour to a thrilling finale, and tourism officials say the impact has already been massive.
The YouTube star’s visit has thrust Kenya into the global spotlight, generating record-breaking online engagement and sparking conversations far beyond the country’s borders. According to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the tour has given Kenya and Africa a rare opportunity to control their own narrative on the world stage.
“Hosting iShowSpeed gives Africa a platform to tell its own stories our beauty, our culture, and our hospitality,” Miano said as Speed wrapped up an event at Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
She noted that Kenyans themselves helped shape the influencer’s itinerary to ensure the country was showcased authentically.
Speed’s livestreams from Kenya have delivered extraordinary numbers. During a single broadcast featuring Nairobi National Park and other iconic locations, his YouTube channel gained nearly 200,000 new subscribers, while more than 180,000 viewers watched live at the same time.
Wherever he went, crowds followed. Fans lined streets and surrounded his convoy, prompting authorities to provide police escorts to manage the overwhelming enthusiasm.
From training with the Kenya Rugby Sevens team and meeting Olympic javelin champion Julius Yego, to tasting traditional Kenyan dishes and cruising through Nairobi in a brightly decorated matatu, Speed’s viral moments kept Kenya trending across social media platforms worldwide.
Tourism officials are hopeful that his upcoming visit to the Maasai Mara one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations, will further spotlight Kenya’s wildlife, culture, and adventure offerings, especially among Gen Z and millennial audiences.
As part of his Speed Does Africa tour, which spans 20 countries, Kenya has so far stood out for drawing the biggest crowds and the loudest buzz, a clear win for the country’s tourism sector.