President William Ruto has moved to clarify controversial remarks that went viral online about English proficiency in Kenya and Nigeria, saying his comments were taken out of context and were never meant to offend.
Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday during the Mining Investment Conference and Expo 2026, which brought together more than 500 delegates from across Africa, the President addressed the backlash head-on, striking a diplomatic tone and extending goodwill to Nigeria.
Ruto asked that his regards be conveyed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and described Nigerians as ‘in-laws,’ underscoring the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The Head of State explained that the now-viral clip originated from what he described as a private conversation that was recorded and shared publicly without full context.
According to Ruto, his remarks were part of a broader point about Africa’s strong command of the English language across different countries, not a comparison meant to elevate one nation over another.
He said he had been highlighting how Africans, including Nigerians and Kenyans, speak “very good English,” adding that in some cases, the richness of language and accents across the continent can require closer attention for mutual understanding.
The President maintained that the comments had been misrepresented, triggering an unnecessary online storm.
“I was speaking to my fellow citizens somewhere, and it was supposed to be a private conversation, but somebody decided it should be public,” Ruto said.
He added that the intention was to celebrate, not diminish, the diversity of English usage across Africa.
The remarks had sparked heated debate online, particularly among Nigerians, after a clip circulated suggesting that Kenyans speak better English, fueling a wave of criticism, memes and cross-border banter on social media.
Kenya and Nigeria, both former British colonies, use English as an official language and have long-standing ties in trade, education and diplomacy.
The two countries also share strong people-to-people connections, often reinforced through business, migration and intermarriage, context behind Ruto’s “in-laws” reference.
Despite the controversy, the President expressed hope that the matter would not strain relations, framing the moment as an opportunity for broader conversation about language, identity and unity across Africa.
