Amid growing reactions, Kenyan President, William Ruto says his comments comparing English proficiency in Africa were misrepresented.
Speaking at the Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi on Tuesday, Ruto said the remarks originated from a private conversation that was later made public.
“Please pass my regards, Minister, to President Bola Tinubu, my friend, and to the great people of Nigeria, who are my in-laws, and do so in good English.
“And, you know, I was captured, I was speaking to my fellow citizens somewhere, and somebody – it was supposed to be a private conversation – but somebody decided that it should be public. But they also misrepresented the facts”, he said.
Ruto maintained that his comments were meant to highlight English proficiency across Africa, not to disparage Nigerians.
“The facts are that I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English, all of us. In fact, in some countries like Nigeria, if you don’t speak excellent English, like the one we speak in Kenya, you may need a translator to understand the excellent English of Nigeria.
“So that was the comparison, but somebody decided to take it out of context. But I think it is as well that we can have this conversation. And my in-laws, I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done”, he added.
The clarification follows earlier remarks attributed to Ruto in a viral video, where he praised Kenya’s education system and suggested it produces strong English speakers while appearing to contrast it with Nigeria.
Although he did not mention any specific individual, the comments were widely interpreted online as a response to recent remarks by President Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State on April 10, 2026, where the Nigerian leader compared living conditions in Nigeria with those in other African countries, including Kenya.
The exchange has since triggered reactions on social media, with users debating the tone of both leaders’ comments and what it suggests about public communication between African heads of state.
