Nothing for free: Omanyala demands Ksh6.4M to race IShowSpeed

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has made his position clear regarding a potential sprint race against American streamer IShowSpeed, insisting it will not be run for free.

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, ahead of IShowSpeed’s anticipated visit to Kenya, Omanyala stated that while he is open to competition, any race must come with proper compensation.

The Commonwealth Games champion and African 100m record holder said he operates with a professional team and expects the same level of seriousness from anyone seeking to race him.

“I mean, he has a team, I have a team. If he wants to compete, of course, he will reach out,” Omanyala said. “There are no rules for reaching me as long as we are in Kenya, but we are not doing it for free. If you are putting anything, it should not be less than $50,000.”

The amount translates to approximately Ksh6.4 million, a figure Omanyala believes reflects his status as an elite athlete and global sprint star.

Kenyan fans have been eagerly tagging Omanyala on social media, urging him to take on the YouTuber. The sprinter earlier responded on X, joking that he would “whoop him by the third step,”.

The comments come as IShowSpeed, one of the world’s biggest streamers, continues his 28-day ‘Speed Does Africa’ IRL tour, which includes Kenya among 20 African countries.

Omanyala’s stance echoes that of other elite athletes who have declined to race Speed without compensation. Last year, Olympic champion Sha’Carri Richardson turned down a similar challenge, bluntly stating, “I don’t race for free.”

Speed’s racing reputation

IShowSpeed has built a reputation for turning sprint challenges into viral spectacles. During his global travels, the 20-year-old streamer has raced football legends, viral fitness stars and elite athletes, often drawing millions of viewers.

He has claimed wins in several exhibition races, including a widely discussed contest against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo during his Botswana trip, where Speed crossed the line first after Tebogo slipped early.

However, Speed has also faced defeat at the top level, having been beaten by a clear margin by Olympic champion Noah Lyles in a separate high-profile race that still captivated fans online.

Kenya is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated stops. In a recent livestream, Speed confirmed plans to explore the country beyond the track. “Damn! We are doing a live safari stream in Kenya,” he told his viewers, further fuelling local excitement.

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