Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle has been named the winner of the 2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award.
The 26-year-old journalist, who works for Kenya’s Nation Media Group, is the ninth recipient of this prestigious award.
Bulle is known for her specialization in human interest stories, which highlight the experiences and challenges of ordinary people.
In addition to her work in journalism, Bulle has also built a strong following on TikTok, where she shares relatable and informative content about life as a journalist. Her presence on social media has made her an influential voice, especially among young people.
Her influence was further acknowledged when she was named among the top 100 Most Influential Kenyan Muslims in 2023.
The judges of the award were particularly impressed by Bulle’s resilience and her ability to tackle challenging stories. They also praised her focus on amplifying under-represented voices and her strong on-air presence. These qualities made her stand out among the other candidates.
Upon receiving the award, Bulle expressed her deep gratitude. She 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 hope this award inspires young girls like me, who wear the hijab and come from minority communities, to dream big and achieve their goals.” Bulle said.
Tarik Kafala, the acting director of the BBC World Service, also expressed his enthusiasm for Bulle’s win. He noted that past recipients of the award have made significant contributions to public service journalism, highlighting the continued impact of this recognition.
A life changing opportunity
As part of her award, Bulle will spend three months working with BBC News teams across television, radio, and online platforms in London.
During this time, she will receive training and mentorship from leading BBC journalists, which will further enhance her skills and expertise.
Additionally, Bulle will 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.
Continuing Komla Dumor’s Legacy
The BBC News Komla Dumor Award was created to honor Komla Dumor, a Ghanaian journalist and presenter for BBC World News. Dumor passed away suddenly at the age of 41 in 2014.
Dumor worked hard to present a more detailed and positive view of Africa. He highlighted the continent’s confidence, intelligence, and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Komla Dumor Award has since then played a key role in advancing the careers of many distinguished journalists across Africa.
Bulle now joins a prestigious group of past winners, including Paa Kwesi Asare, Victoria Rubadiri, Waihiga Mwaura, Nancy Kacungira, and others, who have all made significant contributions to journalism.