Fireworks as President Ruto Appears to Mock Tanzanians’ English During Gretsa University Ceremony

There was drama and excitement today after President William Ruto made remarks that many Kenyans interpreted as a direct mockery of Tanzanians over their English language skills.

The incident happened during the official award of a charter to Gretsa University, an event attended by top government officials, educators and student leaders.

During his speech, Ruto made comments that triggered laughter from the crowd, saying that some people in the region “struggle to communicate” because their English “cannot move past the basics.” Although he did not mention Tanzania directly, the crowd burst into laughter, and online critics quickly concluded that his message was aimed at Tanzanians.

Shortly after the ceremony, social media lit up with reactions, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where Kenyans began teasing Tanzanians about their English, reviving a long-standing rivalry between citizens of the two countries.

Some users reshared old videos of past banter between Kenyan leaders and Tanzanian officials, strengthening the belief that Ruto’s comment was intentional and targeted.

Critics from both sides were quick to join the debate. Some Kenyans joked that Tanzanians are “poor in English but excellent in Kiswahili,” while others accused the President of igniting unnecessary regional friction at a time when East African unity is being emphasized.

Tanzanian users responded by defending their country, arguing that language should not be used as a measure of intelligence or development.

This is not the first time the topic of language skills has sparked jokes between the two neighbours. Past events, including international summits and joint press conferences, have shown moments of light-hearted teasing between Kenyan leaders, Tanzanian leaders, and journalists.

However, today’s remarks attracted more attention because they occurred during a major national event and came at a time when diplomatic relations within the region are under close observation.

Despite the ongoing online debate, the President’s communication team has not released an official statement to clarify the intent behind the remarks.

Meanwhile, the conversation continues to trend as both Kenyans and Tanzanians trade jokes and defend their national pride.

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