Kenyan President William Ruto has taken a swipe at Nigerians’ spoken English.
Ruto made the comments while addressing Kenyans in Italy, in a video that circulated widely on Thursday. In the footage, the president praised Kenya’s education standards, asserting that the country produces citizens with strong command of the English language.
“Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world,” he said, before adding, “If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying. You need a translator.”
He also mentioned what he described as Kenya’s strong human capital, noting that further training could enhance its global competitiveness.
The remarks have drawn attention across social media, with some interpreting them as a subtle response to earlier comments by Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.
During a visit to Bayelsa State on April 10, 2026, Tinubu had acknowledged economic hardships linked to rising fuel prices but urged Nigerians to remain optimistic, stating they were “better off” than citizens of some African countries, including Kenya.
Although Ruto did not directly reference Tinubu, the timing of his remarks has fueled speculation of a growing war of words between the two leaders.
