American internet personality and streamer Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr. has drawn widespread attention across Kenya following his recent visit to the country as part of his ongoing Africa tour, a journey that later took on deep emotional significance during a stop in Liberia.
Watkins, who hails from Ohio in the United States, visited Kenya in recent weeks where he attracted large crowds of fans during public appearances and live streams. His visit generated significant buzz on Kenyan social media, with many young people turning out to see the globally popular content creator as he interacted with fans, explored local culture and highlighted everyday life in the country to his millions of online followers.
The Africa tour, which has included Kenya and several other African nations, later brought Watkins to Liberia, where an unexpected and emotional moment unfolded. While visiting the southeastern part of the country, an elderly man approached Watkins and claimed they were distant relatives connected through the Watkins family lineage. The man explained that their shared ancestry dated back to the 19th century, when freed African-American slaves from the United States resettled in what is now Liberia’s Maryland County.
As the man spoke, he became visibly emotional, breaking down in tears as he described how their families had been separated by history and geography for generations. Watkins, who was livestreaming at the time, appeared overwhelmed by the revelation and embraced the man as onlookers gathered around, many of them equally moved by the encounter.
Maryland County has a unique historical background, having been established in the 1800s by freed slaves from the United States under a colonisation programme linked to the state of Maryland. The descendants of these settlers, often referred to as Americo-Liberians, retained American surnames, customs and cultural practices that remain evident in Liberia today.
For Watkins, the encounter marked a turning point in what had been a high-energy entertainment tour across Africa. Known for his loud and animated online persona, he appeared reflective as he listened to the account of his possible ancestral ties to West Africa. The moment resonated strongly with viewers across the continent, including many in Kenya, where audiences have followed his journey closely since his visit.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion on social media users about African diaspora connections, shared history and the lasting impact of slavery and migration. Many have praised the moment as a reminder of Africa’s global links and the personal stories that continue to emerge as Africans in the diaspora reconnect with the continent.
While it remains unclear whether the family connection will be formally verified through genealogical research, the emotional meeting has become one of the most talked-about moments of Watkins’s Africa tour. What began with fan engagements in Kenya and other countries ultimately evolved into a powerful reflection on identity, history and belonging, resonating strongly with audiences
