Kenyan President William Ruto has come under fire after suggesting that Nigerian-accented English is difficult to understand and requires translation.
Speaking to Kenyans in Italy on Monday, Ruto remarked, “If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying , you need a translator,” while asserting that Kenyans are among the best English speakers globally.
His comments sparked outrage among Nigerians and other Africans on social media, who accused the Kenyan leader of belittling another African nation. Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono responded, stating, “English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress.”
Both Kenya and Nigeria, as former British colonies, share English as an official language, yet each has developed its own unique spoken varieties influenced by indigenous languages.
Nigeria boasts over 500 languages that shape its English cadence and intonation, while Kenya’s linguistic mix of Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic languages contributes to its distinct accents.
During his address, Ruto emphasized the strength of Kenya’s education system in fostering English proficiency, claiming it is challenging to comprehend Nigerian English. He stated, “Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world,” which elicited laughter from the audience.
The backlash on social media was swift, with many users accusing Ruto of displaying a “deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning.”
Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani, criticized Ruto’s remarks, highlighting Nigeria’s literary achievements by referencing Nobel Prize winners Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Some social media users urged Ruto to concentrate on pressing domestic issues like rising living costs and unemployment instead of engaging in what they termed distractions. Online exchanges between Kenyans and Nigerians often feature intense humor and rivalry, especially regarding economic comparisons, pop culture, and sports.
Earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, faced criticism from Kenyans after claiming that Nigerians were “better off than those in Kenya and other African countries,” despite escalating fuel prices at home.
While Ruto did not directly reference any specific remarks, some interpretations suggested his comments may have been a reaction to Tinubu’s statements.
There has been no official response from Ruto’s administration regarding the controversy, however, some Kenyans defended him online, arguing that critics misunderstood his intent and failed to recognize the humor in his remarks.
Nigeria has the highest number of English speakers in Africa. Over time, the language has evolved into a distinct variety known as “Nigerian English,” shaped by the country’s diverse history and cultures.
This unique form continues to influence global English, with expressions like “next tomorrow” (the day after tomorrow) gaining recognition in mainstream dictionaries.
The vibrant Nigerian diaspora, particularly in the UK, has further contributed to spreading these linguistic influences across borders.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong