By Maame Yaa Adu-Nketia
Kenya’s Rukia Bulle has been honored with the prestigious 2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award, an accolade that celebrates outstanding African journalists. Bulle, who currently works with the Nation Media Group, has earned recognition for her extensive coverage of national events and her dedication to telling human interest stories across Kenya. Additionally, she has garnered a significant following on TikTok, where she shares relatable and informative content about life as a journalist.
As part of her award, Bulle will spend three months in London, where she will collaborate with BBC News teams across television, radio, and online platforms. This opportunity will allow her to gain valuable experience, mentorship, and further professional development.
The Komla Dumor Award, established in 2015, commemorates the legacy of Komla Dumor, the esteemed Ghanaian broadcaster and BBC journalist known for his exceptional storytelling and commitment to authentically representing African stories. The award aims to recognize and support exceptional African journalists, highlighting their contributions to journalism on the continent.
Judges praised Bulle for her impressive skillset, resilience in handling challenging stories, and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her strong on-air presence further distinguished her as a deserving recipient of the award.
Previous winners of the Komla Dumor Award have gone on to achieve significant milestones in journalism. Notable alumni include Waihiga Mwaura, Lead Presenter for BBC News’ Focus on Africa; Nancy Kacungira, a BBC News presenter; Victoria Rubadiri, host of CNN International’s Connecting Africa series; and Solomon Serwanjja, Executive Director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism.
Expressing her gratitude, Bulle said, “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. I wanted to honor and contribute to Komla’s legacy in some way. He epitomized the true essence of journalism: truth, accuracy, and objectivity. This award fuels my passion and motivates me to become an even better journalist. I hope this award inspires young girls like me, who wear the hijab and come from minority communities, to dream big and achieve their goals.”
Tarik Kafala, Acting Director of the BBC World Service, expressed his delight in welcoming Bulle as this year’s winner. He emphasized the BBC’s commitment to nurturing exceptional journalistic talent across Africa, continuing Komla Dumor’s legacy of championing African stories.
Source: BBC News
