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, Ruto stated: If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator, 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 him of demeaning a fellow African nation.
Hopewell Chin'ono, a Zimbabwean journalist, remarked, English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress.
Although both Kenya and Nigeria share English as an official language, they have developed unique spoken varieties influenced by the multitude of indigenous languages in Nigeria and Kenya's diverse ethnic backgrounds.
In his address, Ruto emphasized the superiority of the Kenyan education system, claiming that it produced stronger English proficiency and that it was difficult to understand Nigerians when they spoke English.
His comment garnered laughter within the diaspora gathering but incited widespread online criticism, with users accusing him of showcasing an inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning.
Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani pointed out Ruto's mockery of a nation with distinguished literary figures like Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Some social media users urged Ruto to prioritize addressing pressing issues such as unemployment and the cost of living instead of engaging in divisive rhetoric.
Interactions between Kenya and Nigeria on social media often reflect light-hearted rivalry, although they can escalate into more serious exchanges due to political remarks.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also faced backlash earlier this month for suggesting Nigerians were better off than their Kenyan counterparts amidst rising local fuel prices, leading to speculation that Ruto’s comments were a direct response to Tinubu's remarks.
Despite the uproar, some Kenyans defended Ruto, suggesting that critics may have misunderstood his intent and missed the humor in his comments.
The linguistic diversity in both nations is significant, with Nigeria having over 500 languages that shape local English dialects. Nigerian English has evolved distinctively over time, influencing global English with unique expressions.
Nigeria boasts the largest number of English speakers in Africa, enriched by its active diaspora contributing to the global linguistic landscape.
