American streaming sensation IShowSpeed’s visit to Kenya was headlined by a viral face-to-face encounter with Bradley Marongo, the country’s tallest man, popularly known as the “Gen Z Goliath,” during a Nairobi livestream that captivated millions online.
The 20-year-old content creator, born Darren Watkins Jr., came face-to-face with the over-eight-foot-tall Marongo in the capital, visibly stunned by his height and build. The meeting quickly turned into a light-hearted contest, with Bradley challenging Speed to compare foot sizes before daring him to a basketball-style vertical jump.
Reacting to Marongo’s shoe, Speed exclaimed, “This is the biggest foot I have ever seen. It’s the size of my head!”
Marongo then marked a height on a basketball backboard that Speed failed to reach despite two energetic attempts, drawing laughter from onlookers and viewers watching the livestream.
The duo also shared a moment of surprise over their ages. When Speed revealed he was turning 21 soon, Marongo said he was only 23, a revelation that left the American streamer momentarily speechless.
The interaction took a humorous turn when Marongo gifted Speed custom clothing branded with his image and the phrase, “Welcome to NBO. +254.” When Speed asked who “NBO” was, Bradley casually replied, “My friend,” triggering a flood of memes and reactions across Kenyan social media.
While some users on X jokingly criticised Bradley for what they termed a “missed marketing opportunity,” others praised the moment. One user, Prince Danny, wrote, “Our very own Goliath represented.”
The Bradley encounter capped a whirlwind Nairobi visit that saw IShowSpeed declare Kenya the standout destination of his “Speed Does Africa” tour. During the Kenyan livestream, his YouTube channel crossed the 48-million-subscriber mark.
As part of an itinerary coordinated with the Kenya Tourism Board, Speed toured Nairobi National Park, where he fed a young rhino and named it “Rhinaldo,” after football star Cristiano Ronaldo. He later received javelin lessons from world champion Julius Yego at Upper Hill High School and tried his hand at cooking ugali at a local restaurant.
Speed also experienced Nairobi’s matatu culture aboard a decorated nganya, dancing to local music, before joining rally driver Ishmael Azeli for a high-speed drive through the city.
The Nairobi livestream peaked at over 200,000 concurrent viewers, the highest recorded during his African tour so far. Reflecting on the crowds that followed him through the streets, Speed told his audience, “Kenya is the craziest country I have ever visited… Kenya is number one right now.”
Government officials, including Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, have since hailed the visit as a major boost for the “Magical Kenya” brand.