Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians’ spoken English

Kenya’s president, William Ruto, has drawn criticism on social media after implying that Nigerian-accented English was unclear and needed interpretation. During a speech to Kenyans in Italy, he stated, “If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying – you need a translator,” while claiming that Kenyans were among the best English speakers globally.

The remarks have been met with sharp backlash from Nigerians and African peers online, who viewed the comments as an insult to their linguistic identity. Hopewell Chin’ono, a Zimbabwean journalist, noted, “English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress.” Both nations, as former British colonies, share English as an official tongue, yet each has developed unique spoken forms shaped by their native languages.

Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, with over 500 languages, influences its English cadence and intonation. Kenya’s English, meanwhile, blends elements of Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic languages. Despite these differences, Ruto highlighted Kenya’s education system as a key factor in its strong English skills. “We have some of the best human capital anywhere in the world. We just need to sharpen it with more training,” he added, drawing mixed reactions in the audience.

“Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner. The Nation of Achebe and Chimamanda,” posted former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani on X, referencing Wole Soyinka and authors Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Social media users have called out Ruto for what they see as a colonial mindset, arguing his comments reflect an “inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning.” Others suggested he should focus on domestic challenges like inflation and joblessness rather than comparing linguistic styles.

Online tensions between Kenya and Nigeria are not new, often erupting into spirited debates on platforms like X. These discussions frequently touch on economic performance, cultural trends, and recent political statements. Earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu faced criticism from Kenyans after asserting that Nigerians were “better off than those in Kenya and other African countries” despite domestic fuel price hikes.

Ruto’s comments may have been a response to Tinubu’s remarks, though he didn’t directly reference them. His administration has not issued an official statement, but some Kenyans have defended him, arguing the remarks were lighthearted and misunderstood. For more updates on African news, visit BBCAfrica.com and follow @BBCAfrica on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.