Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has clarified his position on a potential sprint showdown with American streamer IShowSpeed, making it clear that the race will not be free.
In an interview on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, ahead of IShowSpeed’s visit to Kenya, Omanyala emphasized that while he is open to the competition, any race must come with proper compensation. The Commonwealth Games champion and African 100m record holder highlighted that 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 proposed amount, roughly Ksh6.4 million, reflects Omanyala’s status as an elite athlete and global sprint star. Kenyan fans have been tagging Omanyala on social media, urging him to take on the YouTuber. Earlier, the sprinter joked on X that he would “whoop him by the third step.”
IShowSpeed, one of the world’s biggest streamers, is currently on his 28-day ‘Speed Does Africa’ IRL tour, visiting 20 African countries including Kenya. Omanyala’s stance mirrors that of other top athletes who have declined to race Speed without compensation. Last year, Olympic champion Sha’Carri Richardson turned down a similar challenge, stating, “I don’t race for free.”
Speed’s Racing Reputation
IShowSpeed has gained fame for turning sprint challenges into viral spectacles. During his global tour, the 20-year-old streamer has raced football stars, viral fitness personalities, and elite athletes, drawing millions of viewers. Notably, he claimed victory against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in Botswana after Tebogo slipped early in the race.
Despite his wins, Speed has also faced defeat, including a clear loss to Olympic champion Noah Lyles in a highly publicized race that nonetheless captivated audiences online.
Kenya is shaping up as one of the tour’s most anticipated stops. In a recent livestream, Speed confirmed plans to explore the country beyond the track, saying, “Damn! We are doing a live safari stream in Kenya,” fueling further excitement among local fans.
