…acknowledges in-law relationship
By Olawale Lamina
Following backlash from different quarters, Kenyan President William Ruto has said he was quoted out of context regarding his remarks on the brand of English spoken in Nigeria.
The Kenyan leader had gotten nerves agitated for saying Nigerian English was inferior to that spoken by his country.
Ruto had said before Kenyans in diaspora ( at a forum in Italy) that, “Kenyans, you know our education is good, our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world… that is true,” he had said.
Drawing comparison between his country and Nigeria (which context is yet unknown), Ruto said: “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 an opportunity came where Ruto recanted his remarks as he addressed the Kenyan mining investment conference recently with Nigeria’s minister of solid minerals, Mr. Dele Alake in attendance.
Ruto walked back his comments by stating that he was only emphasizing the strong command of the English language across African countries, including Nigeria.
“I was captured speaking to my fellow citizens somewhere. It was supposed to be a private conversation, but somebody decided that it should be public. But they also misrepresented the facts.
“The facts are that I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English. All of us,” he said.
Ruto argued that Nigeria, in particular, has a high standard of English, but differences in usage and accent may require adjustments for mutual understanding.
“In some countries like Nigeria,he continues, ” if you don’t speak excellent English, like the one we speak in Kenya, you may need a translator to understand the excellent English of Nigeria,” he said, amid laughter from the audience.
Addressing the Nigerian delegation in the hall, Ruto said on a lighter note “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.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Mineral also extended his part of the humour to his host by stating that Nigerian people “mandated” him to assure President Ruto of their language proficiency during his speech in Nairobi.
It is worth recognizing that Ruto’s daughter, June Ruto, is married to a Nigerian citizen, Alexander Ezenagu.
About The Author
