Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle has been named the winner of the 2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award. At 30 years old, Bulle, who is the ninth individual to receive this prestigious award, is a journalist for Kenya’s Nation Media Group and is known for her compelling human interest stories.
Bulle has also gained a significant following on TikTok, where she shares insightful content about the life of a journalist, making her work both relatable and informative.
The award, established in memory of Komla Dumor—a Ghanaian journalist and BBC World News presenter who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41 in 2014—aims to honor his efforts to showcase a more nuanced and entrepreneurial image of Africa to the global audience.
The judges praised Bulle for her resilience, her dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices, and her strong on-air presence in tackling difficult stories.
“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,” said Bulle, who appeared last year on a list of 100 Most Influential Kenyan Muslims.
“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.”
The Kenyan journalist will spend three months working with BBC News teams across television, radio and online in London.
She will also receive training and be mentored by leading BBC journalists.
A year before his death, Komla Dumor featured in New African magazine’s list of the 100 most influential Africans
Tarik Kafala, acting director of the BBC World Service, said he was delighted that the Komla Dumor Award had nurtured the careers of several journalists across the continent.
“Previous recipients of the award have made significant contributions to public service journalism so we are thrilled to welcome Rukia Bulle as this year’s winner,” he said.
As part of her award placement, Rukia Bulle will have the opportunity to travel to an African country to cover a story that will be broadcast to BBC’s global audience.
This tradition follows in the footsteps of previous winners such as Paa Kwesi Asare, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure, and Nancy Kacungira, who was the first to receive the award.
Last year, Paa Kwesi Asare visited Kenya to report on the emerging electric motorbike taxi industry, showcasing the innovative changes taking place in the country.