Benson Taleno: Maasai who guided IShowSpeed through Maasai Mara shares how he got the gig
By Steve Ireri, January 24, 2026Benson Taleno, a Maasai man from Narok, has shared how he became the official guide for American YouTube streamer IShowSpeed during his recent visit to the Maasai Mara.
Speaking during an interview with Milele FM on Friday, January 23, 2026, Taleno revealed that he first received a non-disclosure agreement from the agent who brought IShowSpeed to Africa.
He noted that the agent was based in Ghana and that the agreement clearly stated he would be receiving a high-end American client in the Mara.
“My name is Benson Taleno, and I am a Maasai from Narok, and I am also an investor in the tourism industry. It was a great experience to be his guide. Before I knew I would be IShowSpeed’s tour guide, I first received a non-disclosure agreement from the agent who brought him to Africa. The agent is from Ghana,” he stated.
The guide explained that his role in the Maasai Mara was specifically to act as a receiving agent, ensuring that the visitor experienced both the natural beauty of the reserve and the local Maasai traditions.
He added that IShowSpeed’s itinerary included a safari in the Mara and an introduction to the Maasai way of life, which included cultural demonstrations and the sharing of traditional practices.
“Yeah, so I became the guide, and especially Speed toured Maasai Mara for a safari, and the main agenda was for him to also get to know the Maasai tradition, and that is why you saw we even took him to witness the Maasai culture, and he also drank blood like Maasai warriors,” Taleno said.
The tourism guide further stated that the experience allowed him to combine his professional knowledge with the opportunity to showcase his heritage, providing a unique and immersive encounter for the popular streamer.
Kenya IRL stream
The popular American streamer’s visit to Kenya began on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with a high-energy livestream at Upper Hill High School in Nairobi, where he was welcomed enthusiastically by students and teachers.
During the stream, the YouTube personality engaged with learners, attempting a rugby session on the school pitch and interacting with world-renowned javelin champion Julius Yego, who coached him briefly before observing Speed try his own throws.
The American content creator also explored Kenyan cuisine, cooking ugali and chapati with guidance from locals, and sampling traditional dishes such as mukimo and nyama choma, which he declared his favourite combination.
His first day concluded at Nairobi National Park, where he expressed amazement at the sight of rhinos and lions set against the city skyline.
The day ended on a record-breaking note, with Speed gaining 360,000 subscribers in a single stream, pushing his total to 48 million and marking Kenya as the country that delivered the largest subscriber surge in his Africa tour.
It was on his second day that he toured the Maasai Mara and met Taleno.