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.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator."
— William Ruto , Politician
"English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress."
— Hopewell Chin'ono , Activist
"Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner."
— Shehu Sani , Politician
"If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator."
— William Ruto , Politician
"English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress."
— Hopewell Chin'ono , Activist
"Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner."
— Shehu Sani , Politician
"From breaking news to viral moments."
— William Ruto , Politician
"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."
— William Ruto , Politician
"If you listen to a Nigerian speak, you need a translator."
— William Ruto , Politician
"Our education and English are good."
— William Ruto , Politician
"let's just thank God together that you are better off."
— Bola Tinubu , Politician
"if one wanted to understand Nigerians speaking English, they might need 'a translator'"
— William Ruto , Politician
"Kenyans speak some of the best English in the world while it is hard to understand Nigerians."
— William Ruto , Politician
Key People
Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of Nigeria.
Bola Tinubu is the President of Nigeria.
Hopewell Chin'ono is a Zimbabwean journalist and activist.
Shehu Sani is a former Nigerian senator.
William Ruto is the President of Kenya.
Tags
All Coverage
William Ruto says Kenyans speak "some of the best English in the world" while it is hard to understand Nigerians.
Kenyan President William Ruto faced backlash after suggesting that Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible and required a translator, while boasting that Kenyans spoke 'some of the best English in the world'.
President William Ruto praised Kenya's strong English proficiency and suggested that Nigerian-accented English is difficult to understand, drawing criticism from Nigerians and other Africans online.
President William Ruto of Kenya made a lighthearted remark about Nigeria's spoken English, claiming it requires a translator, in response to President Tinubu's comments about Kenya's economy.
President William Ruto criticized Nigeria's economic conditions and English usage, mocking Nigerian-accented English and claiming Kenyans speak better English, leading to strong reactions online.
President William Ruto criticized Nigeria's economic conditions and English usage, mocking Nigerian-accented English and claiming Kenyans speak better English, leading to strong reactions online.
President William Ruto suggested that Nigerian-accented English is difficult to understand and often requires translation, while boasting that Kenyans speak 'some of the best English in the world'.
President William Ruto criticized Nigerian-accented English, claiming Kenyans speak better English and Nigerians require translators, sparking widespread criticism online.
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