William Ruto has defended his recent comments on English proficiency and education standards, insisting they were misinterpreted after sparking controversy online.
Speaking at the Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi on Tuesday, the Kenyan leader said the remarks originated from a private conversation that was later made public and misrepresented.
Ruto also extended greetings to Bola Tinubu and Nigerians, describing them as “my in-laws,” while clarifying the intent behind his earlier statements.
“The facts are that I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English, all of us,” Ruto said, adding that his comments were meant to highlight linguistic strengths across the continent rather than target any specific country.
The clarification follows a viral video in which Ruto appeared to praise Kenya’s education system while suggesting that understanding Nigerians could require a translator—remarks that triggered widespread reactions on social media.
Although no individual was directly mentioned, the comments were widely seen as a response to recent remarks by Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State earlier in April, where the Nigerian president compared living conditions across African nations, including Kenya.
The exchange has since fueled online debate, with many users weighing in on the tone and implications of public statements made by African leaders.
Ruto, however, maintained that the situation had been blown out of proportion and expressed hope that no diplomatic strain would arise from the incident.
The episode highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception and amplifying political discourse across the continent.
