'I was misquoted,' Ruto revises stance on Nigerian English comment
President William Ruto has backtracked on remarks mocking Nigerian English, saying he was misquoted and the comments were taken out of context...
✨ Key Highlights
President William Ruto has issued a clarification regarding his previous remarks about Nigerian English, stating he was misquoted and the comments were taken out of context.
- The backtracking occurred on Tuesday, April 28, during the Kenya Mining Investment Conference Expo 2026 in Nairobi.
- President Ruto met with Nigerian Minister Yusuf Tuggar and asked him to convey his regards to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people, referring to them as his "in-laws."
- The President claimed his original remarks, made during a private conversation to Kenyan citizens in Italy, were misrepresented and intended to praise African English proficiency, not demean it.
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Ruto Clarifies Nigerian English Comment After Diplomatic Tensions - April 2026
President William Ruto has clarified that his remarks about Nigerian English were taken out of context after a private conversation was recorded and shared online, causing diplomatic tensions. Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Dele Alake, humorously responded during a conference in Nairobi, stating Nigerians have "mandated" him to confirm they also speak "good English." Meanwhile, Court of Appeal Judge Katwa Kigen assured the Judicial Service Commission of his impartiality during an interview for a Supreme Court judge position, addressing concerns about his past representation of President Ruto at the International Criminal Court. Former IPOA chairperson Anne Makori also faced questioning from the JSC for failing to submit her net worth declaration during her interview for a Supreme Court judge position.
