Steve Massage Wakaniaru, one of Kenya’s most recognizable online masseurs, is at the centre of a viral storm after a leaked video from his Nairobi parlour spread rapidly across TikTok and Telegram. The clip, which surfaced on a Telegram group , has ignited intense debates about privacy, consent, and professional boundaries within the wellness industry.
Wakaniaru — real name Stephen Collins Kariuki — is widely known as “Mr Wakaniaru” and the humorous “lecturer” of the fictional Wakaniaru University on YouTube. With over 1 million followers on TikTok, he has built a brand around comedic skits and behind-the-scenes content from his massage sessions.
But the leaked footage has dramatically shifted the spotlight.
According to viral posts, the video shows Wakaniaru giving a client a massage inside his Kasarani-based Massage by Steve parlour. The initial part of the session appears routine, with his signature yellow towel, oils, and dimly lit ambiance. However, the session allegedly becomes more intimate, triggering widespread speculation on social media.
Many Kenyans believe the clip may have been secretly recorded by the client or a third party, possibly for revenge or leverage. Although parts of the video do not display explicit nudity, its private and sensitive nature has fueled the controversy.
Wakaniaru, 32, originally from Nyeri, has spoken openly in past interviews about the challenges of working in massage therapy. In a 2023 Radio Maisha interview, he revealed that some clients occasionally push boundaries, but he insists on professionalism.
“Things get out of hand sometimes, but I talk them through it. It’s a normal body reaction,” he said, highlighting his training in yoni massage and stress-relief techniques.
His honesty, humour, and Sheng-infused content have made him especially popular among urban women from areas such as Runda, Westlands, and Karen.
As the video continues circulating, discussions online have shifted toward issues of consent, exploitation, client–therapist boundaries, and the darker side of Nairobi’s booming wellness industry. Wakaniaru has not yet issued an official statement, leaving followers and critics divided as the story unfolds.
