Kenya's Rukia Bulle wins 2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award

“I hope this award evokes younger women like me, who put on the hijab,” says Rukia Bulle

BBC Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle — “I hope this award evokes younger women like me, who put on the hijab,” says Rukia Bulle

Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle has gained the 2024 BBC Information Komla Dumor Award.

The 30-year-old, who’s the ninth recipient of the award and works for Kenya’s Nation Media Group, specialises in human curiosity tales.

Bulle has additionally efficiently constructed a robust following on TikTok by means of her relatable and informative content material on the lifetime of a journalist.

The award was created to honour Dumor, a Ghanaian journalist and presenter for BBC World Information, who died abruptly aged 41 in 2014.

He had labored tirelessly to convey a extra nuanced narrative of Africa to the world, representing a assured, savvy and entrepreneurial facet.

The judges have been impressed by Bulle’s resilience and skill to deal with difficult tales, her deal with highlighting under-represented voices and her robust on-air presence.

“Profitable this award means an awesome deal to me. As a journalist, you continuously try to do your finest, no matter recognition, so to be acknowledged on a worldwide stage by means of the Komla Dumor Award is extremely validating,” mentioned Bulle, who appeared final yr on an inventory of 100 Most Influential Kenyan Muslims.

“I hope this award evokes younger women like me, who put on the hijab and are available from minority communities, to dream huge and obtain their objectives.”

The Kenyan journalist will spend three months working with BBC Information groups throughout tv, radio and on-line in London.

She can even obtain coaching and be mentored by main BBC journalists.

A yr earlier than his demise, Komla Dumor featured in New African journal’s record of the 100 most influential Africans

Tarik Kafala, appearing director of the BBC World Service, mentioned he was delighted that the Komla Dumor Award had nurtured the careers of a number of journalists throughout the continent.

“Earlier recipients of the award have made vital contributions to public service journalism so we’re thrilled to welcome Rukia Bulle as this yr’s winner,” he mentioned.

As a part of the location, Bulle will journey to a rustic in Africa to report on a narrative that will likely be broadcast to the BBC’s world audiences.

Earlier award recipients are Paa Kwesi Asare, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure and Nancy Kacungira, the inaugural winner.

Final yr, Asare travelled to Kenya to report on the country’s budding electric motorbike taxi revolution.