TUKO’s MD Ramenya Gibendi exits after five years at the helm of Kenya’s top news website

Tuko’s Managing Director Ramenya Gibendi has left the viral news website after five years at the corner office where he grew the start-up to become the most visited online platform in Kenya’s changing media industry.

Ramenya, a seasoned digital strategist has been replaced by Managing Editor Julia Majale just for days after Tuko’s parent company Genesis Media Emerging Markets (GMEM) rebranded to Legit Media Group.

According to the company, the rebranding was necessitated by a desire to embrace fact-checking approaches as well as producing content capable of winning over audiences in the digital era.

“Legit Media Group started its journey in 2012 as Naij.com in Nigeria. Later it has grown into media holding staying behind leading digital news and entertainment companies in Nigeria (Legit.ng), Kenya (TUKO.co.ke), Ghana (YEN.com.gh), and South Africa (Briefly News),” said the company.

“The new name stands as Legit Media Group, representing fact-checking approaches, trust from the audience, and expertise in producing content,” said the company.

It is not known where Ramenya is headed. He is however the last of the pioneer staff of Tuko having joined the company in 2015 from Nation Media Group where he was a business correspondent. He then worked his way up through the ranks until 2019 when he was named the Managing Director.

“We have met and exceeded the goals we had set to achieve at the beginning. One of our prospects was to be the biggest news online website in the country, based on unique monthly visitors and pageviews,” said Ramenya in interview with ‘Who Owns Kenya’ last year.

In the changes made yesterday, Jacob Otieno the Deputy Chief Editor, succeeded Majale as Managing Editor. 

Speaking Kenyans.co.ke, Majale expressed delight in her new role, set to commence on Monday, May 1, 2023.  

“I thank God for the opportunity of being the new Managing Director. It is a role that focuses on the brand, building its reputation, and increasing the company’s revenue. My key objective will be to stamp our authority as one of the leading digital media platforms in the country,” she stated. 

“In terms of my own personal plans for the role, I want to continue increasing partnerships for the team, diversifying content, and enhancing team growth in general,” she added.

As the Managing Director, Majale will play a crucial role in ensuring the success and growth of TUKO.co.ke by providing strategic leadership, managing operations, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Co-CEO of the parent company Legit Media Group, Olena Bohynska, has expressed her excitement and commented on this significant move in the development of TUKO.co.ke.

“These appointments didn’t come as a surprise, as both Julia and Jacob have shown their high-level expertise, dedication to work, and exceptional managerial skills throughout their journey at TUKO.

“That is why this decision was pretty simple to make, and we are confident that our newly appointed Managing Director and Managing Editor would make a positive impact on the whole organisation,” stated Olena.