‘You Speak Excellent English” – Kenyan President Ruto Apologises To Nigerians

Kenyan President William Ruto has apologized to Nigerians for mocking their spoken To English.

He said his earlier comments about the type of English spoken in Nigeria were misunderstood and taken out of context.

KanyiDaily recalls that William Ruto had drawn criticism after a remark suggesting Nigerian English was not as strong as that of his country.

But while speaking at a mining investment conference in Kenya, attended by Nigeria’s minister of solid minerals Dele Alake, Ruto clarified his position.

He explained that his original point was about how well Africans, including Nigerians, speak English.

According to him, the conversation was meant to be private, but it was made public and presented in a misleading way.

“I was captured speaking to my fellow citizens somewhere. It was supposed to be a private conversation, but somebody decided that it should be public. But they also misrepresented the facts.

“The facts are that I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English. All of us,” Ruto said.

The president stressed that people across Africa generally have a strong grasp of the language, adding that Nigeria stands out for its high standard.

He noted, however, that differences in accent or usage can sometimes require people to adjust when communicating with one another.

“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,” he said, amid laughter from the audience.

Addressing Alake and other Nigerian delegation in the hall, Ruto sent greetings to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians, referring to them as his “in-laws.”

“Please pass my regards to President Bola Tinubu, my friend, and to the great people of Nigeria, who are my in-laws.

“My in-laws, I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done,” he added.

President William Ruto’s daughter, June Ruto, is married to a Nigerian, Alexander Ezenagu.

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