‘Can’t Be Paid With Streams and Likes’ – Ferdinand Omanyala Stands Firm on Ksh6.4 Million Demand for IShowSpeed Race

Ferdinand Omanyala has reiterated his stance on demanding payment before taking part in an exhibition race against American YouTube star IShowSpeed, insisting that professional athletes cannot be compensated with online popularity alone.

Africa’s fastest man has once again defended his refusal to race the popular streamer unless a substantial appearance fee was agreed. Omanyala maintains that his decision is rooted in professionalism, the value of his brand and the risks involved in competing outside sanctioned events.

When IShowSpeed visited Kenya recently, Omanyala was asked whether he would be willing to line up against him in a friendly sprint, similar to races Speed has done with elite athletes such as Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo. However, the Kenyan sprinter made it clear that he would only consider the race if a fee of $50,000 (approximately Ksh6.4 million) was offered.

His position sparked debate online, with some fans accusing him of missing a chance to grow his global profile by tapping into Speed’s massive following. Despite the criticism, Omanyala has remained resolute, arguing that exposure alone does not justify the potential cost to his career.

According to the sprinter, many of those criticising him fail to understand what it means to be a professional athlete at the highest level. He stressed that, beyond his personal reputation, he also represents sponsors and partners who expect him to make decisions that protect their investments.

“Once you reach a certain level in your profession, no one can simply walk into your workplace and turn it into a prank,” Omanyala said while speaking to students at Crawford International School. He explained that his achievements and status were earned through years of discipline and sacrifice.

Omanyala Defends Move to Protect His Brand

“You do what you do because you worked for that position,” he said. “I have built the Omanyala brand to where it is today, and it has grown so big that whenever my name appears in the news, people want to read about it.”

The sprinter questioned whether it was reasonable to expect him to compete without pay after committing countless hours to training throughout the year. “Imagine training seven hours a day, preparing for three or four months before a season starts, and working almost the entire year, only for someone to tell you that your reward is streams and likes. Is that really fair?” he asked.

Although some in the audience appeared unconvinced, Omanyala went on to outline the physical and professional risks involved in such an exhibition race. He emphasised that what may seem like entertainment to fans carries serious consequences for an elite athlete.

“For you, it’s just fun and entertainment, but for me it’s an investment,” he explained. “I would need to prepare, disrupt my training for several days and then take a risk. What happens if I race and, God forbid, I get injured?”

Why Did Omanyala Demand Ksh6.4 Million?

Omanyala further highlighted the tight competition schedule he faces, noting that injuries sustained in non-essential races could derail his season. “I have competitions coming up in the next couple of weeks. How do I explain to my sponsors or management that I got injured while racing IShowSpeed?” he asked.

He added that many events are planned months in advance, with organisers already covering travel and appearance fees. Cancelling such commitments due to an avoidable injury would be difficult to justify.

“Flights are booked, appearance fees are paid. How do you call an organiser and tell them you can’t compete because you were injured in a promotional race?” he posed.

Omanyala concluded by stressing the importance of self-worth in professional sport. “When you know your value, no one can joke with you. You understand exactly what you bring to the table,” he said.

The African 100m record holder, whose time of 9.77 seconds set in September 2021 remains the fastest on the continent, is also a Commonwealth Games champion. After failing to break the 10-second barrier last season, Omanyala is optimistic about a stronger 2026 campaign as he continues to focus on his core competitive goals.