Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed regret to Nigerians for making fun of their speech. to English.
He claimed that his previous remarks regarding the kind of English spoken in Nigeria were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
William Ruto was criticized for saying that Nigerian English was not as good as his own.
However, Ruto clarified his stance while speaking at a mining investment conference in Kenya that Nigeria’s minister of solid minerals, Dele Alake, was present at.
He clarified that his initial argument concerned the English proficiency of Africans, including Nigerians.
He claims that although the conversation was supposed to be private, it was misrepresented and made public.
“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,” Ruto said.
“In some countries like Nigeria, 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 Alake and other Nigerian delegation in the hall, Ruto sent greetings to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians, referring to them as his “in-laws.”
“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,” he added.
President William Ruto’s daughter, June Ruto, is married to a Nigerian, Alexander Ezenagu.
President Ruto’s recent apology marks a significant shift in his stance, reflecting a recognition of the importance of respectful international relations. His acknowledgment and apology to Nigeria demonstrate a willingness to mend past misunderstandings and foster better diplomatic ties.
Moving forward, it is hoped that such gestures will promote mutual respect and understanding between Kenya and Nigeria, strengthening their bilateral relationship and setting a positive example for future interactions on the global stage
