Steve Massage Wakaniaru’s leaked video has exploded across Telegram channels and TikTok feeds, thrusting the popular Kenyan masseur known as Mr Wakaniaru into a firestorm of viral attention after a graphic clip from one of his private sessions surfaced online, allegedly showing him providing intimate services to a client in his Nairobi parlour.
The 32-year-old content creator, whose real name is Stephen Collins Kariuki and who brands himself as the “lecturer” of the tongue-in-cheek “Wakaniaru University” on YouTube, has built a massive following of over 1 million on TikTok through humorous skits and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his massage therapy work. But this week’s leak has shifted the narrative from light-hearted relaxation tips to heated debates about boundaries, consent and the hidden side of Nairobi’s wellness scene. The video, first shared anonymously on a private Telegram group called “Nairobi Secrets” late Sunday night, quickly spread to public channels.
In the 4-minute clip, which has been edited and watermarked by sharers, Wakaniaru is seen in a dimly lit room at his Kasarani-based “Massage by Steve” parlour, performing what starts as a standard back and leg rub on a woman described in captions as a “wealthy mumamaz from Lavington”.
The session escalates into more sensual touches, with the client visibly relaxed and engaging, set to the faint hum of R&B tracks. Wakaniaru’s signature yellow towel and essential oils are visible, hallmarks of his branded content. While the first video does not show explicit nudity, the second shows how it was slowly done; its intimate nature has led many to speculate it was recorded covertly by the client or a third party, possibly as leverage or revenge.
Wakaniaru, who hails from Nyeri and moved to Nairobi in 2018 to hustle after dropping out of college, has always been upfront about the temptations in his line of work. In a candid 2023 interview with Radio Maisha, he admitted clients – mostly affluent women from leafy suburbs like Karen, Westlands and Runda – often request “extras”, but he prides himself on professionalism.
“Things get out of hand sometimes, but I talk them through it. It’s a normal body reaction, nothing more,” he said at the time, emphasising his training in yoni massages and stress relief techniques. His videos, blending Sheng slang with wellness advice, have positioned him as a relatable figure for urban women seeking self-care amid busy lives.
The leak has united Kenyans in a bizarre mix of shock, amusement and outrage on Telegram, where groups like “City Spice” and “Nairobi Naughties” are buzzing with reactions.
Husbands and married men have been particularly vocal, with one viral thread accusing Wakaniaru of “stealing wives under the guise of relaxation.” “My mami goes for these ‘sessions’ every Thursday. Now I know why she comes back glowing,” posted one user from Buruburu, sparking a chain of replies filled with memes of jealous emojis and fly whisks.
Others defend the masseur, arguing it’s consensual adult fun in a city where loneliness hits hard. “Lonely Nairobi women deserve pampering too. “Blame the husbands for neglecting, not the therapist,” countered a woman from Kilimani. “Wellness should empower, not exploit. We need regulations for home-based services,” said a women’s rights official.
Wakaniaru broke his silence in a live Instagram session, where he neither confirmed nor denied the video’s authenticity but slammed the leaker as a “bitter ex-client”.
“My work is healing bodies and minds, not drama. If you seek peace, book a session. If you want beef, scroll past,” he said, wearing his signature yellow shirt and promoting a “detox special” for Ksh3,500. He also teased new content on his YouTube channel, Wakaniaru University, where he dishes relationship advice and relaxation techniques, insisting the leak won’t derail his brand.
The controversy comes amid a surge in Kenya’s wellness industry, valued at Ksh45 billion annually, with massage parlours popping up in every estate from Eastlands to the CBD.
Psychologist experts note that such scandals expose deeper issues: urban isolation, where high-powered women turn to professionals for touch and validation. “In a city of 5 million, connection is currency. Wakaniaru fills a gap, but leaks like this erode trust,” the expert said.
As Telegram shares the trend on the Steve Massage The Wakaniaru leaked video saga shows no signs of fading. Booking enquiries at his parlour have reportedly doubled, with calls from curious couples and solo adventurers. For now, Nairobi’s self-care scene is more buzzed than ever, proving that in the city that never sleeps, even a rubdown can spark a national conversation. Whether Wakaniaru emerges as villain or victor, one thing’s clear: his hands-on approach to trending has mastered the art of viral therapy.
