Kenyan President William Ruto has faced a social media backlash after publicly suggesting that Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible and required a translator. Addressing Kenyans living in Italy on Monday, Ruto stated, If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator, while boasting that Kenyans spoke some of the best English in the world. His remarks drew fierce condemnation from Nigerians and other Africans online who accused the Kenyan leader of demeaning a fellow African nation. English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress, wrote Hopewell Chin'ono, a Zimbabwean journalist.
As former British colonies, both Kenya and Nigeria share English as an official language, yet each has developed distinct spoken varieties influenced by indigenous languages. Ruto emphasized that Kenya's education system produces strong English proficiency, asserting that it is hard to understand Nigerians when they speak English. His words sparked laughter in the room, but also widespread criticism.
Many users on social media pointed out that Ruto's comments reflect a deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani highlighted that Ruto was mocking the English of a country that has produced Nobel Prize winners. Some users also urged Ruto to focus on pressing domestic issues rather than engaging in what they see as distractions.
Online banter between Kenya and Nigeria is common, often marked by humorous yet sometimes contentious exchanges, especially concerning economic and cultural comparisons, and occasionally political remarks. Just earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu faced backlash from Kenyans after boasting about Nigeria's superiority over Kenya.
Currently, there has been no official response from Ruto’s government, but some Kenyans have defended him, arguing that critics misunderstood his remarks and missed the humor.
As former British colonies, both Kenya and Nigeria share English as an official language, yet each has developed distinct spoken varieties influenced by indigenous languages. Ruto emphasized that Kenya's education system produces strong English proficiency, asserting that it is hard to understand Nigerians when they speak English. His words sparked laughter in the room, but also widespread criticism.
Many users on social media pointed out that Ruto's comments reflect a deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani highlighted that Ruto was mocking the English of a country that has produced Nobel Prize winners. Some users also urged Ruto to focus on pressing domestic issues rather than engaging in what they see as distractions.
Online banter between Kenya and Nigeria is common, often marked by humorous yet sometimes contentious exchanges, especially concerning economic and cultural comparisons, and occasionally political remarks. Just earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu faced backlash from Kenyans after boasting about Nigeria's superiority over Kenya.
Currently, there has been no official response from Ruto’s government, but some Kenyans have defended him, arguing that critics misunderstood his remarks and missed the humor.
