Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians' spoken English

William Ruto says Kenyans speak "some of the best English in the world" while it is hard to understand Nigerians. Kenya's President William Ruto faces backlash after mocking Nigerians' spoken English Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. President William Ruto said that Kenyans spoke some of the best English in the world A close-up of President William Ruto in a grey suit, blue shirt and dotted tie during a past public event in Nairobi. Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians' spoken English Kenyan President William Ruto has faced a social media backlash after publicly suggesting that Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible and required a translator. Addressing Kenyans living in Italy on Monday, Ruto said: "If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator," while boasting that Kenyans spoke "some of the best English in the world". His remarks drew fierce condemnation from Nigerians and other Africans online who accused the Kenyan leader of demeaning a fellow African nation. "English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress," wrote Hopewell Chin'ono, a Zimbabwean journalist. As former British colonies, both Kenya and Nigeria share English as an official language, but each country has developed distinct spoken varieties with different phonetic structures. These differences reflect the influence of indigenous languages - Nigeria has more than 500 languages which shape its cadence and intonation, while Kenya's Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents. But in his address to the diaspora gathering, Ruto said Kenya's education system produced strong English proficiency and that it was difficult to understand Nigerians when they spoke English. "Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying. You need a translator even when they are speaking English," he said, sparking laughter in the room. "We have some of the best human capital anywhere in the world. We just need to sharpen it with more training," Ruto added. His remarks have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising the Kenyan leader for showcasing a "deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning". "Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner.The Nation of Achebe and Chimamanda," former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani posted on X, referring to Wole Soyinka - the country's only Nobel Prize winner - along with acclaimed authors Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Other social media users urged Ruto to focus on addressing pressing issues facing his citizens - such as the cost of living and unemployment - rather than engaging in what they described as distractions. Online barbs between Kenya and Nigeria are a frequent occurrence, often marked by intense, humorous and sometimes volatile cyber wars on platforms like X. These exchanges typically revolve around economic comparisons, pop culture and sport and, more recently, political remarks. Earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu faced a backlash from Kenyans online after stating that Nigerians were "better off than those in Kenya and other African countries" despite rising fuel prices at home. While Ruto did not make a direct reference to any specific comment, some online interpretations suggested his remarks may be in response to Tinubu's comments. There has been no official response from Ruto's government, but some Kenyans have defended him online, arguing that critics have misunderstood the intent of his remarks and missed the humour. A medium close-up of a seated woman wearing an abstract-patterned blue top and voluminous hair in a contemplative moment. Women secretly filmed, then ridiculed and abused online A young mixed race woman looks at herself in a mirror - she is wearing a black zip-up top and has braided long hair 'They told me he was dead': Children born near army base learn truth about UK soldier dads A woman with long hair tied in a high pony tail, filling a dark green car with petrol at a petrol station in Nairobi, Kenya. She is standing to the side so her face is partially visible Rationing power and diluting petrol - how African countries are coping with effects of Iran war Two giant African harvester ants - reddish in colour - seen on some rocks One ant for $220: The new frontier of wildlife trafficking A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica A DNA and legal project has identified the fathers of 20 children born near a military base in Kenya. Zhang Kequn was arrested in March while trying to travel to China with more than 2,000 live ants. Diesel prices rise by a record margin despite a reduction in value added tax. Prof Dumbor Ngaage helped halve recovery time for cardiac patients at Hull's hospitals. Cyril Ramaphosa said the suspension was because of the critical role Fannie Masemola plays in fighting crime. Opposition parties accused security forces but the official report does not say who was responsible. The Pope gives a frank and passionate speech, the likes of which have characterised his tour of Africa. Zambia authorities and Edgar Lungu's family are in a dispute over where the former leader's remains should be buried.