Reactions As Kenyan President Ruto Taunts Nigeria’s Spoken English 

 

By Rotela Oguns

 

Nigerians have taken offence at the recent remarks by Kenyan President William Ruto who drew parallels between his country’s spoken English and theirs.

 

Ruto spoke while addressing Kenyan nationals living in Italy stressing that his country’s spoken English is more eloquent and of a higher grade.

 

He further implied that while speaking the English Language Nigerians sound garbled and incomprehensible.

 

“Kenyans, you know our education is good, our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world… that is true,” Ruto said.

 

“If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying — you need a translator even when they’re speaking English.” the Kenyan President added.

 

Both Kenya and Nigeria are British colonies sharing English as lingua franca. Apart from this both countries are multi-ethnic a peculiar condition that gives rise to what can be termed “Babelic tongue”.

 

The dialects of the ethnic groups in each country heavily colour the phonetic structures of their spoken English.

 

Nigeria has over 500 languages which shape the cadence and intonation of the English Language across the country, while Kenya’s Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents.

 

Meanwhile, Ruto’s remark has sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media.

 

“Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner.The Nation of Achebe and Chimamanda,” Shehu Sani, former senator, said on X, referring to Wole Soyinka — the country’s Nobel Prize winner — along with acclaimed authors Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

 

“One moment Kenya’s President is complaining about Nigerian men marrying Kenyan ladies, another moment he is saying we need a ‘translata’,” another X user said.

 

“Perhaps Ruto is mistaking polished nonsense his people speak for good English” James Moses wrote on X.

 

“Nigerians have become the laughing stock of other African nations thanks to our leaders. Imagine Kenya that is as big as just our backyard poking fun at our spoken English” Dolapo Somolu

 

“Nigeria used to be the giant of Africa in all sectors but not anymore. We have become the butt of ridicule of other countries. Anyway, everything is on a downward spiral in Nigeria now include the quality of our education.” Temidayo Samuel.

 

 

However, some social media users are of the opinion that Ruto decided to take a jibe at Nigeria’s spoken English as a clapback to President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks which drew parallels between Nigeria’s economy and Kenyans’.

 

Recall that earlier this  month, Tinubu faced a backlash from Kenyans online after stating that Nigerians were “better off than those in Kenya and other African countries” despite rising fuel prices at home.

 

 

Here are some other comments.

 

Ruto insulted Nigerians and their English thinking we are with him. Nigerians can take him do to him as they wish.

 

Thank you for you attention to this matter.

 

— Donna Mugoh (@Eddie_Mugoh) April 24, 2026

 

 

Tinubu told Nigerians they were “better off than Kenya.” Ruto responded by mocking Nigerian English. Two presidents using their citizens as props in a personal argument. More 🔥 https://t.co/Z7wCr10rx5

 

— Elliot (@elliot_solution) April 24, 2026

 

 

Lol, clown ….. An African man bragging about speaking a white’s man language better than another African man…so shameful 😅🤣🤣…. https://t.co/xRJkZPJWvm

 

— onome777 (@ONOME777) April 24, 2026

 

 

Ruto needs a translator for Naija English, while Kenya’s economy screams for a translator. Bro, fix your own mess first! 😂

 

— James Bio | Debrief Log (@DebriefLog) April 24, 2026

 

 

If not because of Tinubu, who is Ruto to insult Nigerians? I don’t blame Kenyan President, I blame the incompetent man in Aso Rock. pic.twitter.com/FLypCFS407

 

— Dr. Kenon (@drkenon2) April 23, 2026

 

 

“This is disrespectful

 

Kenyan President , William Ruto reveals that Kenya speaks the best English. According to him, When you listen to Nigerian English you still need a translator.

 

He has crowned Kenya the best English speaking African country. To him Nigeria is just… pic.twitter.com/ArbrNBQkdu