Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has doubled down on his decision not to race US-based streamer IShowSpeed, offering a blunt and unapologetic defence that has further fueled debate across Kenyan social media.
Speaking amid sustained online criticism, Omanyala made it clear that elite athletics is not a hobby driven by viral moments but a full-time profession built on discipline, sacrifice, and financial sustainability.
“I cannot build a brand for seven hours a day, for four months and 44 weeks a year, only for someone to pay me with streams and likes,” Omanyala stated, shutting down claims that he missed a golden branding opportunity by declining the exhibition race.
The comments come days after Kenyan netizens questioned why the continental sprint king did not face off with IShowSpeed during the YouTuber’s highly publicized “Speed Does Africa” tour.
With over 49 million YouTube subscribers, Speed’s visit sparked global attention as he met Olympic javelin champion Julius Yego and viral sensation Bradley Marongo, but a sprint showdown with Omanyala never happened.
Critics argued that the exposure alone could have elevated Omanyala’s global brand, citing sprint legends Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles, who previously raced the streamer without charging an appearance fee. To them, the potential marketing value outweighed immediate financial considerations.
However, Omanyala’s latest remarks underscore a different reality, one rooted in the economics and risks of professional sport.
The Commonwealth Games champion emphasized that his career depends on structured training blocks, sponsorship obligations, and peak performance at sanctioned competitions, not spontaneous races staged for online entertainment.
For Omanyala, exposure without compensation is not a currency and elite performance cannot be sustained on likes alone.
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