A new dawn as Ghafla relaunches into a fully fledged media news website

Finally, Ghafla Kenya, one of East Africa’s largest online entertainment websites is set to experience a massive rebranding and rebirth, in a launch ceremony that will take place on Wednesday evening, October 19, 2016.

Started seven years ago, in a bedroom from where it struggled up the ladder with no readership and no clout, Ghafla has now spread her tentacles wide and large network that has readers spread across the entire African continent – and beyond.

Ghafla was the little dream of one ambitious university student named Samuel Majani who saw a vacuum in the provision of local celebrity news and music lyrics online – and then he moved in to fill the void, creating the Ghafla behemoth that today boasts of over millions of monthly readers.

Ghafla founder, Samuel Majani

“I am very proud that Ghafla, which started in a bedroom seven years ago, has now become part of one of the largest African media enterprises. This partnership will give us access to an international audience and ensure that we learn and apply the global expertise that the Ringier team brings with it”, Majani says.

New home

Less than a decade after the site was born, Ghafla has now found a new home in Ringier Digital Media who have partnered with the Kenyan startup and promised to carve it into an even bigger, more balanced, broader and expansive news network that will easily compete with the largest digital platforms from Nigeria to South Africa.

“Working with the Ghafla team, will set standards in the regional media space, offering up-to-date information directly to East Africa’s main media consumption  tool of choice; the mobile phone,” says Tim Kollman, the MD of Ringier Africa.

Initially tailored for the Kenyan audience, with most of the news focusing largely on the Kenyan market and celebrities, the new Ghafla has now moved into deeper waters – casting her net wider and further to encompass not just Kenya but also Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Ethiopia.

Commenting on the exciting Ghafla partnership, Robin Lingg who is the Ringier Africa & Asia CEO said:

“We are excited to welcome Ghafla as partners, seeing potential in the product and its numerous growth opportunities. The inclusion of Ghafla into the Ringier family comes at an exciting time for our publishing company, as we continue to invest in a fast-moving, pioneering, credible and truly pan-African publishing network.”

Media expansion

The new Ghafla, whose brand icon has also changed to feature a ‘Ghafla’ logo with a small ‘g’, will move from disseminating just entertainment and celebrity news to covering broader topics that include politics, sports, science, technology, and lifestyle.

“I could not be happier. I am a huge Ghafla fan. I have been reading Ghafla since 2012. I am basically hooked to you guys. I am also a huge sports fan. I have always said that Ghafla needs to cover sports. I also want to know who is marrying who, who is releasing a new video and also, which team scored against which team and which player was bought. I love the new Ghafla and cannot wait to have my daily dose of everything all under one roof … “, says Martin Kinyua, an avid Ghafla reader and subscriber.

To cater for this broader market, the new Ghafla management has also hired highly skilled new talents who come with great knowledge and expertise in news dissemination and analysis.

“I used to cover politics at my former employer. It is fun. I am a huge politics enthusiast and I know Kenyans are extremely keen on politics. I am glad I can cover that for Ghafla as well… It is exciting and thrilling… It is really what I dreamed of, and exactly what i am doing right now…, “ says Dennis Tarus, one of Ghafla’s new writers.

Ghafla also promises to have a stronger focus on breaking news as it plans to have writers on board as it seeks to disseminate breaking news at it happens.

Grand launch

The big launch tomorrow, which is expected to start at 6pm in the evening, will feature a galaxy of some of the biggest and most powerful local celebrities and stars from all facets of entertainment.

Representatives from some of the biggest local brands will be in the house too for a dazzling night of festivities, music, laughter, networking, sumptuous foods, drinks and fine wine.

“I am honored to be invited. I have been a Ghafla fan for the longest time. I have always appreciated the positive coverage that Ghafla has always given me and the role the blog has played in furthering my career. Looking forward to the wonderful evening tomorrow. Na mjue nitawalambaaa…. Nitawamooodaaa wote. Waambie ivo… “, Shaniqwa, one of Kenya’s biggest comedy stars, said.

As for those that love their tipple, as much as yours truly does, Brew Bistro Lounge, one of the most accomplished beer manufacturers in East Africa, will be in the house helping to quench the thirst of all the esteemed guests.

The Wine Shop too will be very much represented for those that love to wash down some spicy chicken wings with some smooth,soothing wine.

It wil certainly be one of the biggest entertainment launch events of the year and DJ Joe Mfalme will be on the decks. We just cannot wait.