Victoria Rubadiri Speaks After Officially Joining CNN

CNN International has officially hired former Citizen TV journalist and anchor Victoria Rubadiri for a new role on its long-running multiplatform series Connecting Africa and as part of the network’s newsgathering operation in Nairobi.

As the series enters its fifth year on CNN International, Rubadiri will join the team telling the stories of emerging and expanding businesses across Africa and exploring the impacts of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Alongside the 30-minute monthly show Connecting Africa, which continues to be hosted by CNN anchor and correspondent Eleni Giokos, content is available across CNN’s digital and social platforms.

Inside CNN studios. /FILE

Rubadiri, according to a statement on Tuesday, April 30 by the media house headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United States (US), joins CNN from Citizen TV where she was a senior anchor and reporter in the Royal Media Services (RMS) Nairobi headquarters.

She also has extensive experience as a radio presenter both in Kenya and the United States (US), where she studied for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Temple University in Philadelphia. 

In 2020, Rubadiri was awarded the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award for her exceptional talent in telling African stories.

On joining the network Rubadiri told the international media house, “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work at CNN and to bring my experience and passion to its global audience.

"Connecting Africa champions the people, projects and companies revolutionising African business and I’m looking forward to working alongside Eleni and the team to get out on the ground and tell these stories.”

CNN International Senior Vice President and Global Head of Features Content Ellana Lee said of Rubadiri’s hiring, “Victoria will be a fantastic addition to Connecting Africa bringing a wealth of expertise and storytelling experience from across the continent.

"Her appointment speaks to CNN’s commitment to telling African stories from an African perspective and our investment in the Connecting Africa franchise.”

Connecting Africa is part of a continuing partnership between CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The new move sees her link up with Larry Madowo, who was her old partner while they were at NTV. Madowo is currently CNN's international correspondent and congratulated her on the new role.

At Citizen TV, Rubadiri hosted several shows including Citizen Weekend on Saturdays, where she gave prominence to many issues especially those touching on social norms and culture.

She also hosted Sunday Live every Sunday with acclaimed journalist, Jeff Koinange, a show that has also featured some of the country's biggest televised stories.

A replacement for Rubadiri is now on as Viral Tea had earlier learnt that RMS could seek NTV senior news anchor Olive Burrows to replace her.