In the bustling streets of Nairobi, a new star is rising—not on the football pitch, but in a kinyozi (barbershop). Meet the "Kenyan Haaland," a dreadlocked content creator and barber whose uncanny resemblance to Manchester City’s goal-scoring machine, Erling Haaland, has turned him into an overnight internet sensation.

With over 8,000 followers on Facebook and a growing presence on TikTok, this local doppelgänger is proving that the "hustle" respects no boundaries. Donning a Manchester City jersey with the iconic number 9, he has mastered the art of viral marketing, using his lookalike status to drive traffic to his primary business: dreadlock retouching.

More Than Just a Lookalike

While the resemblance is striking—minus the dreadlocks—the "Kenyan Haaland" is leveraging the fame with a shrewd business mind typical of Kenya’s digital generation. He frequently engages with fans who jokingly urge him to "shave the beard" to complete the transformation. Instead of taking offense, he leans into the banter, turning every comment section into a marketing opportunity for his salon services.

"I do dreadlocks," he reminds fans in his videos, expertly pivoting from football memes to customer service. In a recent clip filmed at a spa, he showcased his skills, proving that his hands are as precise with a crochet needle as the real Haaland’s feet are with a ball.

The Digital Hustle

• Viral Strategy: Interactions with celebrities like rapper King Kaka have amplified his reach.
• Humor as Currency: His playful responses to trolls have endeared him to a Kenyan audience that values wit.
• Monetization Gap: Despite the fame, he admits he hasn't yet fully monetized his content, a common challenge for Kenyan influencers.

A Cultural Phenomenon

The "Kenyan Haaland" joins a growing league of local lookalikes—from the "Kenyan Kanye" to the "Bungoma Bond"—who use their unique features to carve out a niche in the creator economy. But unlike many who rely solely on the gimmick, this barber is using the spotlight to build a tangible business.

As he continues to grow his brand, one thing is clear: whether he’s scoring goals or fixing locs, the Kenyan Haaland is here to stay. And for his customers, getting a haircut from a "Premier League star" is a story worth every shilling.