Kenyan President William Ruto is facing strong criticism online after remarks he made about how Nigerians speak English, which many users described as disrespectful and unnecessary.

Ruto, while addressing a gathering of Kenyans in Italy, suggested that Nigerians are often difficult to understand when they speak English and jokingly implied that a translator might be needed. He also contrasted this with his view that Kenyans speak English more clearly, describing their proficiency in positive terms.

The comments quickly spread across social media, drawing backlash from Nigerians and other Africans who accused the Kenyan leader of belittling another African country. Many argued that accents should not be used as a standard for intelligence or national development, stressing that English is a colonial language adopted differently across countries.

Nigeria, which has hundreds of indigenous languages, has developed its own widely recognised form of English shaped by local speech patterns and culture. Kenya also has its own variation influenced by its linguistic diversity, leading to differences in pronunciation and rhythm across both nations.

Prominent voices joined the discussion, with critics pointing out that Africa’s literary and intellectual achievements should not be undermined by accent comparisons.

Nigerian cultural influence was also referenced, with figures such as Chinua Achebe and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka often cited as examples of the country’s global impact on English literature.

Some social media users also linked the controversy to previous political exchanges involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and regional commentary that has occasionally triggered online disputes between both countries.

While the debate continues to trend online, there has been no official statement from the Kenyan government addressing the remarks.

However, some supporters of Ruto have defended him, saying his comments were misunderstood or intended in a humorous context rather than as an insult.