Boda boda rider reveals earning Ksh10K carrying fans chasing after iShowSpeed in Nairobi
By Nancy Marende, January 12, 2026A boda boda rider in Nairobi has shared how he walked away with Ksh10,000 in a single day after ferrying fans who were chasing popular American streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed, during his recent visit to the city on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Speaking on TikTok on Monday, January 12, 2026, the rider identified as Nyakwar Atonga described the day as his luckiest yet, saying the iShowSpeed livestream turned into a major payday for him.
“Enyewe jana was my day. Jana hiyo stream ya iShowSpeed ilikuwa siku yangu. Imagine nimemake Ksh10K safi tu hivyo,” he said.
According to the rider, he met two well-off young men who were determined to follow iShowSpeed throughout his Nairobi tour. The duo reportedly hired him on the spot and instructed him to trail the streamer wherever he went.
“Nilipatana na rich kids wawili wakanambia nifuate huyo jamaa kila mahali anaenda. Nilikuwa tu nyuma ya huyo jamaa bumper to bumper hadi akamaliza tour yake hapo KICC,” he added.
The boda boda rider said he ferried the two fans across different parts of the city as crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the internet sensation.
By the time the tour ended near the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the young men had generously paid him.
“Walishuka wakanipea Ksh10K wakasema, ‘Bro, you did a good job,’” he recalled.
Clearly grateful for the unexpected windfall, the rider credited iShowSpeed’s visit for making his day, adding that the experience was unlike any other he had had on the job.
“IShowSpeed thank you very much, you made my day yesterday,” he said.
Criticism
This comes after a section of Kenyans took to social media to criticise the conduct of Kenyan men during the just-concluded iShoeSpeeds Kenyan tour.
Socialite Corazon Kwamboka questioned why crowds of grown men were seen chasing and surrounding the American streamer.
On her Instagram Stories on Monday, January 12, 2026, Corazon said she was not hating on the Kenyan men but was simply being logical about the situation.
She expressed concern over what she described as misplaced excitement, noting that the scenes did little to meaningfully promote Kenya as a tourist destination.
According to Corazon, if the intention behind hosting iShowSpeed was to market Kenya to the world, then the focus should have been on showcasing the country’s iconic attractions and culture.
“Maboys wamejam sana. Poleni, Joh. But I’m not even hating; I’m just being logical. If the goal was to promote tourism, then actually showcase Kenya: the Maasai Mara, Diani, KICC, our culture, our food, our views. That makes sense,” she stated.
Further, Corazon questioned the logic behind thousands of people running after a single individual through the streets, likening the scenes to religious worship.
“Thousands of grown men chasing and surrounding one guy like he is Jesus? For what exactly?” she asked.
“He’s not feeding people, opening opportunities or changing lives. This wasn’t patriotism, abeg, at least if he was giving people money, baas,”