In a swift diplomatic maneuver, Kenyan President William Ruto has officially walked back his recent comments regarding the English proficiency of Nigerians, insisting that his words were “misrepresented” and “taken out of context.”
The clarification came on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi—an event attended by high-ranking Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
The “Private” Conversation Gone Public
The controversy erupted last week after a video surfaced of President Ruto speaking to Kenyans in Italy. In the clip, Ruto praised Kenya’s education system but seemingly took a swipe at the Nigerian accent and command of the language.
“If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying—you need a translator even when they’re speaking English,” Ruto had originally stated, drawing laughter from his audience in Italy.
Addressing the backlash on Tuesday, Ruto explained that the remarks were part of a private conversation with fellow citizens that was leaked and distorted. He claimed he was actually highlighting the diverse and “excellent” ways the English language is mastered across the African continent.
“Nigerians are My In-Laws”
During his address in Nairobi, President Ruto adopted a much more conciliatory tone, even referencing his personal ties to the country.
- A Message to Tinubu: Ruto asked Minister Dele Alake to pass his regards to President Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “my friend.”
- Family Ties: He lightheartedly reminded the audience that Nigerians are his “in-laws,” (referencing his daughter Stephanie’s marriage to a Nigerian, Olumide Afeni).
- Linguistic Reversal: Ruto pivoted his previous stance, stating: “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.”
The Background: A Subtle “War of Words”?
Political analysts suggest the initial “swipe” may have been a response to comments made by President Tinubu earlier in April. During a visit to Yenagoa, Tinubu had remarked that Nigerians were “better off” than citizens in Kenya and other African nations facing tougher economic conditions—a claim that didn’t sit well with the Nairobi administration.
Comparison of Recent Remarks:
| Speaker | Original Sentiment | Updated Context |
| President Tinubu | Claimed Nigerians are economically “better off” than Kenyans. | Seen as a regional economic comparison. |
| President Ruto | Suggested Nigerians’ English is unintelligible. | Now describes it as “excellent” and “misrepresented.” |
Quick Facts: The Ruto “Apology”
| Detail | Information |
| Date of Clarification | April 28, 2026 |
| Location | Mining Investment Conference, Nairobi |
| Key Nigerian Witness | Dele Alake (Minister of Solid Minerals) |
| The Defense | Claims the leaked video was a private talk taken out of context. |
| Status | Diplomatic “truce” established between the two nations. |
Public Response
While the apology has calmed official waters, the “Linguistic War” remains a hot topic on X (formerly Twitter). Many Nigerians pointed out that the country has produced a Nobel Prize-winning author in Wole Soyinka, while Kenyans defended their status as some of the most proficient English speakers in the global digital labor market.
With Ruto’s “in-law” defense, the tension appears to have shifted from a diplomatic spat back into a spirited, friendly regional rivalry.