Global YouTube sensation Darren Jason Watkins Jr., famously known as IShowSpeed, created a historic moment on his very first day in Kenya. On Sunday, January 11, shortly after landing in Nairobi, his YouTube channel soared past the monumental milestone of 48 million subscribers.
A Viral Welcome and a Major Milestone
The surge was rapid and immense. During his time in Kenya alone, his channel attracted a staggering more than 360,000 new subscribers. Speed is in the country as part of his ambitious 28-day "Speed Does Africa Tour." True to his style, he livestreamed nearly his entire experience from the moment he touched down. His arrival sparked excitement both online and offline, with fans swarming the airport and the streets of Nairobi to catch a glimpse of the internet personality.
Overwhelmed by the reception, Speed celebrated the achievement live on stream. He emotionally expressed, "I love you all so much. We gained 360,000 subscribers and reached 48 million. Kenya, we will never forget you. Kenya is number one right now." The live broadcast itself became a record-breaking event, peaking at over 200,000 concurrent viewers, marking one of the largest live audiences for a solo YouTuber. The buzz extended to social media platform X, where his name was mentioned more than 142,000 times by Sunday afternoon.
Exploring Nairobi: From Sports Icons to Matatus
Speed's first day was a whirlwind tour of Nairobi's iconic spots, all broadcast live to his massive audience. His itinerary included:
- Upper Hill High School, where he met Olympic javelin champion Julius Yego.
- The Mukuru affordable housing project.
- Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
- Kenyatta Market and Uhuru Park.
- Nairobi National Park.
Every location was met with cheering crowds. Adding to the adventure, he experienced the thrill of the Safari Rally in a rally car within Nairobi's Central Business District and immersed himself in the city's vibrant matatu culture, sharing his live reactions with fans.
Leaders' Welcome and Aerial Finale
The day concluded with a helicopter ride over the city, during which Speed spotted the under-construction Talanta Stadium, slated to be renamed the Raila Odinga Stadium. His visit received official recognition even before landing. President William Ruto welcomed him in a video message, stating, "Jambo, IShowSpeed, welcome to Kenya, karibu Kenya. Kenya is not just another country; Kenya is a pulse, a feeling... This is magical Kenya, the origin of wonders." Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano also personally greeted him at the KICC rooftop before his aerial tour.
Kenya is a key stop on Speed's extensive African journey, which has already included South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. His tour is set to continue with visits to Senegal and Nigeria next.
