‘I will embarrass myself: Charisma on meeting Lionel Messi amid IShowSpeed uproar
By Ascah Mwango, January 13, 2026Kenyan musician Fidel Shammah, popularly known as Charisma, has said he would embarrass himself if football star Lionel Messi visited Kenya.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Charisma wrote on X that he prays Messi never comes to Kenya because he might lose his cool and make a fool of himself.
“I pray Lionel Messi never sets foot in Kenya because I might embarrass myself,” he wrote.
Charisma’s remark drew reactions from fans, including one who shared a personal story. The fan said that even meeting Messi would not compare to the impact of meeting Charisma whose song True Love, helped him connect with the girl of his life. He recalled singing the song at home with her and called it one of his best moments.
“Mimi ata sio Messi siku nitapatana na wewe bois itabidi nikuhug because your song “True love” ilifanya nikapata the girl of my life it was played at a certain Rurashio at home, and we ended up singing the lyrics together that is still my best moment with her I swear,” the fan shared.
Charisma’s comment comes amid a wave of online discussion about how some men behaved after meeting American streamer IShowSpeed in Kenya.
IShowSpeed
American livestreamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known online as IShowSpeed, arrived in Nairobi on January 11, 2026, as part of his Speed Does Africa tour. The tour has taken him to several African countries, where he livestreams local places and interacts with fans.
In Nairobi, large crowds gathered to see him at schools, markets and city streets. His livestream from the city drew large numbers of viewers online and helped him gain many new subscribers on YouTube.
The attention around IShowSpeed’s visit was not without criticism. Videos shared on social media showed adult men running after him, shouting and trying to take selfies. Some people online criticised this behaviour, saying it looked like men were simping and fangirling over the streamer. Other users defended the fans, saying excitement was natural given IShowSpeed’s global popularity.
The visit brought global attention to Kenya through social media, and officials said it was good exposure for the country. At the same time, many Kenyans debated how fans reacted and what it says about celebrity influence.