IShowSpeed: From YouTube to Nairobi streets

He began creating content in 2016 and broke into the mainstream around 2020–2021.

Kenyan online users have gone into a frenzy following the recent visit by American content creator and livestreamer IShowSpeed.

His visit sparked scenes of excitement in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Sunday after hundreds of fans mobbed his convoy during an impromptu visit to the city.

Boda bodas and cars trailed his motorcade as crowds spilled onto streets and sidewalks, scrambling to catch a glimpse of the online star or record videos on their phones, briefly disrupting traffic and drawing widespread attention.

However, many have also taken to their social media pages to ask innocent questions, wanting to know more about IShowSpeed, a 20-year-old sensation that has grabbed headlines, taking the internet by storm.

The scenes underscored the growing global influence of IShowSpeed, an internet personality whose high-energy, unpredictable content has made him one of the most recognisable digital entertainers of his generation.

Who is IShowSpeed?

Born Darren Jason Watkins Jr. on January 21, 2005, in Cincinnati, Ohio, IShowSpeed rose to fame through gaming content, particularly FIFA livestreams, before expanding into in-real-life (IRL) streams that blend humour, chaos and spontaneous audience interaction. 

He began creating content in 2016 and broke into the mainstream around 2020–2021.

Unlike highly curated influencers, Speed’s appeal lies in his raw, unfiltered broadcasts, marked by explosive reactions and an “anything-can-happen” style that keeps viewers hooked. 

His content frequently goes viral, especially on TikTok, helping him build a massive following across platforms, including more than 48 million subscribers on YouTube.

Other careers

Beyond streaming, he has ventured into music under major labels and earned multiple industry accolades, including Streamer of the Year honours, cementing his status as a key figure in global youth culture.

His Nairobi appearance comes as part of the “Speed Does Africa” tour, a 28-day livestreaming journey across 20 African countries aimed at showcasing local cultures and experiences in real time. 

His Kenya stop on January 11, 2026, proved to be among the most electric, drawing record online engagement.

Within hours, his livestream attracted more than 200,000 concurrent viewers, pushing his YouTube subscriber count past the 48-million mark as thousands of new followers joined during the broadcast.

While in Nairobi, IShowSpeed interacted with students, sampled Kenyan cuisine, visited popular landmarks and attractions, and took a helicopter ride over the city skyline, where he celebrated his latest subscriber milestone live on camera.

As internet-born celebrities increasingly shape global culture, IShowSpeed stands out as a symbol of a new era of entertainment, one driven by live interaction, authenticity, and instant global reach. 

His Nairobi takeover offered a vivid glimpse into how digital influence now translates into real-world frenzy, thousands of kilometres from where it began.