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IShowSpeed effect: Are men losing their gangster points for a streamer?
12th January, 2026 01:29 PM
“I love you Speed. Acknowledge me, I am your biggest fan, take a selfie with me,” those were some of the expressions heard on the livestream as men chased and shouted after IShowSpeed during his first day in Nairobi on January 11, 2026.
Videos of adult fans running after his convoy, shouting, and desperately trying to get photos quickly went viral, dominating social media feeds.
The public displays of enthusiasm have elicited mixed reactions from netizens. Some have criticised the scenes, calling the adult fans’ behaviour embarrassing and questioning whether such public fangirling was appropriate for grown men.
On the other hand, others have defended the fans, pointing out that showing excitement should have no age limit and questioning why men are judged more harshly than women for similar behaviour.
Critics
Charlie Jones, partner of media personality Betty Kyallo, slammed adult men for their behaviour, saying he understands younger fans’ excitement but called the actions of grown men extremely embarrassing, describing scenes of shouting, pushing, and handing over money to get the streamer’s attention.
“Kids chasing Speed is understandable, but grown men forcing their way for photos or autographs telling him ‘Tell me you love me’ is shameful,” he said.
However, Content creator Gloria Ntazola defended the men, urging the public to stop mocking them for expressing emotion.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 12, 2025, Ntazola argued that their reactions were normal.
“Hi, I think we should not mock boys for being overly excited… we should let people live, for real,” she wrote. “I’ll be so excited if I met Rihanna as well. It’s normal. Let’s be nice to each other.”
She dismissed claims that the men were simping, saying their reactions reflected joy rather than weakness. “They’re not simping. They’re just happy,” she stated, questioning why male excitement is often policed online while similar reactions from women are celebrated.
Ntazola called for emotional openness in Kenya, urging people to embrace vulnerability and joy. “Can we learn to have emotions in 2026 and quit this nonchalant behaviour?”
Generational gaps
The frenzy has also highlighted a generational divide. Younger audiences, particularly those in Generation Z, embrace IShowSpeed’s unfiltered energy and chaotic style, finding it relatable and entertaining. Older viewers often struggle to understand the appeal, describing the scenes of men chasing and screaming as over-the-top or cringeworthy.
Social media quickly became a battleground of opinions, with memes, jokes, and viral clips fueling debates about masculinity, public behaviour, and fandom culture.
IShowSpeed was welcomed to Kenya by President William Ruto and spent his first day touring schools, Nairobi’s Kenyatta Market, and Nairobi National Park. Every interaction was livestreamed, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers worldwide and pushing his subscriber count past 48 million, one of the largest increases of his Africa tour so far.
Now on day two, IShowSpeed is streaming live from the Maasai Mara National Reserve, showcasing Kenya’s iconic wildlife and landscapes to a global audience.
