Kenyan President William Ruto has faced a strong backlash on social media after suggesting that English spoken with a Nigerian accent is incomprehensible and requires a translator.
Addressing Kenyans in Italy, Ruto stated, 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 comments have ignited fierce condemnation from Nigerians and other Africans, who accused him of demeaning a fellow African nation.
Hopewell Chin'ono, a journalist from Zimbabwe, remarked, English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress. Both Kenya and Nigeria, having been British colonies, use English as an official language but have developed unique variations influenced by local languages.
Online reactions included criticism of Ruto for showcasing a deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani pointed out the irony in Ruto mocking the English spoken in Nigeria by referencing the country's rich literary heritage, including Nobel Prize winners like Wole Soyinka.
Furthermore, social media users urged Ruto to address pressing issues such as the cost of living and unemployment, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric. Exchanges between Kenya and Nigeria are common on social media, often reflecting economic and cultural comparisons.
While some defenders of Ruto argue that his remarks were taken out of context or misconstrued as humor, the event has raised important discussions about language, identity, and the political dynamics within Africa.
