Netizens React Over Kenyan President Ruto’s Comparison Of ‘Nigerian English’ To Kenya’s

Reactions have flooded the social media following comments by Kenyan President William Ruto rubbishing Nigeria’s spoken English while comparing it to that of his country.

Ruto, while speaking to Kenyans in Italy in a viral video making the rounds on social media, said, “Kenyans, you know our education is good, our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world… that is true.”

“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,” he added.

The remarks triggered a wave of reactions online, with social media users across platforms offering sharp criticism, satire and counter jabs.

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani wrote, “Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for Literature winner. The nation of Wole Soyinka and acclaimed authors Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.”

Another user, Toyyib Adewale Adelodun (@taadelodun), said, “One moment Kenya’s President is complaining about Nigerian men marrying Kenyan ladies, another moment he is saying we need a ‘translata’. 😂 President Ruto, can you stay in one place Sir.”

A user identified as Dr. Kenon (@drkenon2) blamed Nigeria’s leadership for the development, writing, “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.”

Also, another user, Typical Aboki (@Proud_Aboki), described the Kenyan President’s comment as disrespectful, “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.”

But, former presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) took a lighter view, stating, “Folks need to lighten up. There’s plenty of room for a bit of friendly needling within the AU. ALSO, as a policy, we do not invade countries where we have presidential in-laws.”

Meanhwile, from the Kenyan side, Donna Mugoh (@Eddie_Mugoh) wrote, “Ruto insulted Nigerians and their English thinking we are with him. Nigerians can take him do to him as they wish. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Another social media user, Elliot (@elliot_solution), offered a different perspective, suggesting the comment was response to earlier remarks by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu against Kenya, saying, “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.”

A social media user onome777 (@ONOME777) criticised the premise of the comparison, “An African man bragging about speaking a white man’s language better than another African man… so shameful.”

While James Bio (@DebriefLog) mocked the Ruto’s leadership in Kenya, saying, “Ruto needs a translator for Naija English, while Kenya’s economy screams for a translator. Bro, fix your own mess first!”

Both Nigeria and Kenya use English as an official language, but have developed distinct accents influenced by their diverse indigenous languages. However, linguists, including researchers from the University of Cambridge, maintain that there is no “best” English accent, emphasising that effective communication matters more than pronunciation differences.