•William Ruto
Kenya’s President William Ruto has backtracked on his remarks on the brand of English Nigerians speak.
He said a ‘’private conversation’’ he had with ‘’fellow citizens’’ was recorded, misrepresented, taken out of context and shared online.
Ruto had faced backlash after saying Nigerian English was inferior to that of his homeland.
The president had said: “Kenyans, you know our education is good, our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world… that is true.
“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.”
But at a mining investment conference in Nairobi that had a Nigerian delegation, including Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake, in attendance, Ruto said he ‘’hopes there will be no consequences from Nigerians, who he described as his in-laws
His daughter, June, is married to a Nigerian, Alexander Ezenagu.
Speaking directly to the Nigerian delegation, Ruto said lightheartedly: “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.”
The Kenyan leader told the attendees that he was only highlighting the strong command of the language across African countries, including Nigeria, during the private conversation with some Kenyans
