Yafreeka was a Kenyan social media and video-sharing platform launched in September 2023. It was an idea billed as an African alternative to YouTube.

Yafreeka aimed to empower African content creators by providing a platform for uncensored expression and fairer monetization.

However, that dream was short-lived. Yafreeka would flop within months of its launch, leaving its users hanging and the founder financially distressed.

Below, we walk through the rise and untimely flop of Yafreeka.

The birth of Yafreeka

To trace the origins of Yafreeka, let’s first talk about Andrew Kibe, a Kenyan media personality born on July 1, 1976.

Kibe rose to prominence as a controversial content creator, podcaster, and social commentator. He is known for his unfiltered takes on masculinity, relationships, and Kenyan society.

Kibe began his career in the media with stints at Kenyan radio stations like NRG Radio and Kiss FM.

During his time in the industry, he built a massive following. The foundation became the springboard for his early social media success.

Until mid-2023, Kibe ran six YouTube channels. He offered provocative content that sparked debates in Kenya and beyond.

Kibe’s content had a strong fanbase. His primary YouTube account, for instance, had accumulated over 400,000 subscribers as of the mentioned period.

However, on the morning of September 11, 2023, Kibe woke up to the greatest surprise of his life. YouTube had terminated all his channels over allegations of violating community guidelines.

Google Africa’s Dorothy Ooko confirmed that Kibe’s harassment and hate speech had motivated YouTube’s termination decision.

On his part, Kibe attributed the setback to censorship by “neocolonialist” forces.

And as resilient as he is, he was not the type of content creator to give up.

Just days following his expulsion from the YouTube world, Kibe unveiled Yafreeka. He positioned and marketed it as a rival to YouTube.

In his social media posts, Kibe boldly declared Yafreeka would “dethrone” YouTube in Africa. His move was such courageous.

As expected, the platform’s initial hype was strong. It had over 1,000 users signed up within an hour of launch. By day #2, the number had grown to 10,000.

Yafreeka’s positive kickoff signalled early promise of a great “African-developed” video-on-demand service. It showed an African version of YouTube with a huge potential to foster organic content without traditional limitations.

But could Kibe’s bold vision sustain its momentum?

Was Yafreeka’s fiery launch destined to burn out?

Would it flop like its predecessors: Zoopy, Wabona, and Afrostream?

Stay with me as we explore Kibe’s dream through the test of time.

How Yafreeka collapsed

Yafreeka’s launch in September 2023 was met with enthusiasm from Kibe’s loyal fanbase. It was an idea with an unquestionable selling point, especially among millions of African youth.

Kenyan Gen-Z, in particular, saw it as a bold stand against censorship by foreign Big Tech.

Kibe promoted Yafreeka aggressively on X. Updates were constantly shared, and creators were continually invited to join the new platform.

However, it didn’t take long before cracks began to appear.

By mid-2024, Kenya was in heated anti-government demos led by Gen Z. Kibe, underestimating the potential impacts of his political stand, aligned with the state narrative.

He constantly dismissed demonstrators’ course with words and actions that angered thousands of his Gen-Z followers.

Consequently, the Yafreeka creator found himself in an intense backlash.

And before he could realize and fix his mess, the counterblast had culminated in a coordinated online campaign against him.

In June 2024, Yafreeka’s Google Play Store rating plummeted from 4.8 to 1.1 stars in hours.

Negative reviews from disillusioned users characterized Gen-Z’s revenge against Kibe’s only known big investment.

Some critics labelled Yafreeka a “pyramid scheme.”

But the revenge did not end with Yafreeka. Accusations surfaced that Kibe had solicited funds from supporters for the platform but failed to deliver a functional product.

Put briefly, Yafreeka carried the cross on behalf of its founder, with some terming it a “con” game.

By July 2025, a series of X posts had emerged mocking the platform’s non-existence. Critics point out Kibe’s non-operational website and a barely functional app.

Meanwhile, Kibe has since admitted financial struggles with Yafreek’s flop appearing effective.

What was Done Right?

Yafreeka’s launch tapped into a real need for an African-centric platform, and Kibe’s team got a few things right early on.

1. Leveraging Kibe’s influence

Kibe’s massive following from YouTube and X drove rapid initial sign-ups of up to 10,000 users within days of the launch.

This showcased the potential of an African social media platform to mobilize a loyal audience.

2. Presenting a bold vision for African creators

Positioning Yafreeka as a platform to free African content creators from Western censorship resonated deeply with Gen-Z.

The vision aligned well with growing calls for digital sovereignty in Africa.

Yafreeka’s idea also won support from Pan-African youth who believe the time is ripe for Africa to have its own digital assets.

3. Quick pivot Kibe’s post-YouTube ban

Launching Yafreeka almost immediately after Kibe’s YouTube termination was a strategic move. It demonstrated Kibe’s agility and determination, capitalizing on the controversy to fuel buzz.

At the same time, such a timely launch was key in winning the needed initial traction, especially from sympathizer subscribers.

4. Outstanding, unique brand name

The name “Yafreeka” was a clever nod. It creatively combines the Swahili word “Ya” i.e., belong(s) to) and a twisted version of “frica” as “freeka,” possibly intended to imply “frica.”

Yafreeka seems to refer to “belong(s/ing) to Africa.” Such a brand name resonates well with an African audience.

The aspect of “free” in Yafreeka evokes liberation and cultural pride.

The name is catchy, memorable, and blends seamlessly with the founder’s mission to offer uncensored expression for Africans.

5. A striking visual design:

Yafreeka’s logo combines vibrant pan-African colors and a sleek, modern look.

The design gives the necessary feel to grab attention and embody Yafreeka’s bold, African-centric identity.

What Was Done Wrong?

Despite early wins, Yafreeka’s execution faltered in critical areas, undermining its potential.

1. Poor technical execution

The platform suffered from glitches, slow load times, and a clunky user interface. It failed to match YouTube’s seamless experience.

Technical issues drove users away.

2. Lack of monetization clarity

Yafreeka failed to provide a clear monetization model for creators. Yet, this clarity was a significant requirement for the platform to complete YouTube’s ad-revenue system.

The ambiguity discouraged sustained content creation.

3. Alienating key audiences:

Young users could have been Yafreeka’s core adopters.

However, Kibe’s controversial stances, especially during Kenya’s 2024 Gen Z protests, alienated the primary target market.

Additionally, Yafreeka suffered more damage from Kibe’s controversial views on feminism and masculinity.

4. Opaque financial management

Allegations of mismanaging crowdfunded investments eroded trust. Funds were solicited without clear accountability.

This made the Yafreeka initiative appear more like a fraud scheme than a genuine savior it claimed to be.

Why Did Yafreeka Collapse?

Yafreeka’s demise stemmed from a combination of internal missteps and external pressures.

Yafreeka’s rise was short. Its fall, swift. The seeds of failure were planted from the very start.

The platform was built on shaky ground. Its infrastructure was buggy. Its algorithm, weak. Against YouTube’s flawless engine, Yafreeka felt like a clumsy imitation. Users came. They tried it. Most never returned.

Money was another wound. No big investors stepped in. No solid revenue plan took root. Server bills piled up. Growth stalled. By 2025, even Kibe himself was battling reported financial troubles.

Then came the storm. In 2024, outrage erupted. The app’s Google Play rating plunged to a humiliating 1.1 stars. Whispers of scams turned into headlines. Trust evaporated.

And hovering over it all was the shadow of the global giants. YouTube was not just a competitor—it was the standard.

To challenge YouTube required deep pockets, sharp strategy, and powerful allies. In the cautious post-2023 African tech climate, Yafreeka had none of these. The fight was over before it truly began.

What are the impacts of Yafreeka’s failure?

The collapse of Yafreeka had wide-ranging consequences for various stakeholders, leaving a mark on Kenya’s digital and cultural landscape.

The impacts are diverse. From financial loss for the founder to betrayal of supporters, Yafreeka’s flop is a great setback to Kenyan creators.

The failure dented confidence in homegrown African tech solutions. Its flop underscored the continent’s challenges in competing with global giants like YouTube.

What lessons can we learn from Yafreeka’s flop?

Yafreeka’s story offers stark takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and creators.

First, building a social media platform requires more than hype—robust tech infrastructure, clear monetization, and scalable moderation are essential to compete with established players.

Second, community alignment is crucial: Kibe’s polarizing views alienated potential users like Gen Z, underscoring the need to nurture inclusive audiences rather than provoke them.

Third, transparency with funds builds trust; allegations of mismanagement can torpedo even the best ideas.

This epic flop highlights the importance of content creator diversification. It shows how diversifying platforms could mitigate de-platforming risks.

Finally, challenging Big Tech demands strategic partnerships mixed with gradual growth, not confrontation.

Will Yafreeka ever resurrect?

Attempts to revive Yafreeka have been minimal and unsuccessful. It is unclear whether Kibe will revamp the platform.

Instead, he returned to YouTube briefly in 2025, only to face another ban.

What is visible is a cycle of reliance on the very platforms he sought to challenge.

Sendy Kenya