Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle has been awarded the prestigious 2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award, making her the ninth recipient of this esteemed honor. Bulle, who works for Kenya’s Nation Media Group, is known for her specialization in human interest stories and has garnered a strong following on TikTok for her informative content on the life of a journalist.
The Komla Dumor Award was established to commemorate the legacy of Ghanaian journalist and BBC World News presenter, Komla Dumor, who passed away at the age of 41 in 2014. Dumor was recognized for his efforts in presenting a more nuanced narrative of Africa to the world, showcasing a confident, savvy, and entrepreneurial side of the continent.
The judges were impressed by Bulle’s resilience, her ability to tackle challenging stories, her focus on amplifying under-represented voices, and her strong on-air presence. In her acceptance speech, Bulle expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Winning this award means a great deal to me. As a journalist, you constantly strive to do your best, regardless of recognition, so to be acknowledged on a global stage through the Komla Dumor Award is incredibly validating.”
Bulle hopes that her achievement will inspire young girls, especially those who wear the hijab and come from minority communities, to dream big and achieve their goals. As part of the award, she will spend three months working with BBC News teams in London, receiving training and mentorship from leading BBC journalists.
Tarik Kafala, acting director of the BBC World Service, expressed his delight in Bulle’s win, highlighting the significant contributions previous award recipients have made to public service journalism. Bulle will also have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa to report on a story that will be broadcast to the BBC’s global audiences.
Previous winners of the Komla Dumor Award include journalists such as Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, and Nancy Kacungira. The award aims to nurture the careers of talented journalists across the continent, with past recipients making impactful contributions to journalism.
