Kenyan Investigative Reporter Victoria Rubadiri Wins Prestigious BBC World News Award

Citizen TV investigative reporter Victoria Rubadiri is the recipient of the 2020 BBC World News Komla Dumor Award.

Rubadiri, who doubles up as a news anchor, becomes the second Kenyan media personality after her workmate Waihiga Mwaura to win the coveted award.

She is also the sixth winner of the award after Mwaura, Solomon Serwanjja (Ugandan), Amina Yuguda (Nigerian), Didi Akinyelure (Nigerian), and Nancy Kacungira (Ugandan).

The award was created to honor the late Komla Dumor, a Ghanaian journalist who worked for BBC World News following his sudden in 2014 aged 41.

As a result, Rubadiri will join the BBC Academy for a three-month training after which she will work in BBC News teams to gain skills and experience across BBC News platforms.

“Komla was a well-rounded journalist whose style, though authoritative, was also compassionate, empathetic, and uplifting. His ability to give the facts comprehensively, and yet still be attuned to his audience, was something I admired and a skill I seek to emulate,” said Rubadiri.

“I am excited at the prospect of learning new skills at the BBC to be able to connect with audiences locally, regionally, and internationally, no matter on which platform the story is being told.” 

Rubadiri, who grew up and schooled in the US before returning to Kenya, won the award due to her eloquence and passion for telling African stories.

“We’re delighted to have Victoria on board to bring her insights and passion to the BBC,” said Jamie Angus, Director of BBC World Service Group.

“Komla had the incredible ability to give stories from the continent global resonance, and also deliver it with familiarity and understanding. We’re looking forward to seeing Victoria embody that by bringing her perspectives to life.”