NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has received a shot in the arm after American streamer and global celebrity iShowSpeed, who is on a two-day tour of the country, gave the 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium in Nairobi a resounding thumbs-up.
During a helicopter ride over the Nairobi skyline, the nearly completed stadium caught the attention of the 21-year-old influencer, who flamboyantly expressed his admiration.
“Look at the stadium, bro. That is a good-looking stadium; it looks amazing. Is it not even done? Oh, Talanta Stadium?” he said, offering football fans across the globe an aerial view of one of the continent’s largest stadiums.
Set to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Talanta Stadium is the region’s largest facility, complemented by three additional professional pitches for football, rugby, and athletics.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano lauded the iShowSpeed tour, saying it had given the country a platform to showcase its rich tourism sites and heritage.
“Magical Kenya shines as iShowSpeed tours Africa, turning our story into a real-time experience,” the Cabinet secretary said.
“He (iShowSpeed) is reshaping Kenya’s image from a safari hub to a melting pot of cultures, vibrant cities, great cuisine, amazing people and adventure. Indeed, we are the Origin of Wonder,” she added.
What is the impact of Talanta Stadium on Kenya?
In a statement, Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the stadium’s construction strengthens Kenya’s position as a top tourist destination.
“Talanta Stadium is fast becoming a defining landmark for Nairobi and a powerful catalyst for Kenya’s sports tourism,” Chepkemei said. She added that the facility will promote sports tourism, especially during next year’s AFCON and other continental tournaments.
“Through iShowSpeed’s visit, we showcased Kenya as we know and live it, our speed to progress and sustainability, our ambition, and our wins, telling the authentic Kenyan story to the world,” she said.
“Kenya’s story now goes beyond safaris and beaches, with vibrant cities, rich culture, and bold new urban experiences added to the mix. Visitors are experiencing a new Kenya: dynamic, progressive, confident, inclusive, and full of possibility, a first-world Kenya in the making.”
Expressing his excitement during a live broadcast, iShowSpeed declared Kenya his number-one destination, saying the experience of the past 24 hours would remain in his memory.
The online sensation, who hit a record 48 million subscribers during the Nairobi aerial tour organised by the Ministry of Tourism, described the country as the “craziest so far”, referring to the enthusiasm of fans who accompanied him wherever he went.
“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,” he said.
Where else in Nairobi did iShowSpeed visit?
iShowSpeed also visited Nairobi National Park’s animal orphanage, where he observed lions and adopted a baby rhino, before touring the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and riding in a fast safari rally with an excited crowd in tow.
Followed by millions worldwide, his tour has dominated online discussions, with some praising President Ruto’s administration for seizing the opportunity to market Kenya globally.
“There is something rare about Kenyans that the rest of East Africans, if not Africans, don’t have. And that’s how to sell their country to the world,” Andrew Akech said on X.
“More than 5 million people joined the live stream of iShowSpeed to see what Kenya has to offer, and Kenyans received it with both hands.”
The flamboyant streamer, on a 28-day tour of Africa, has already visited South Africa, Zambia, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda and is scheduled to tour Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Liberia, and Nigeria.