President William Ruto has said his comments about Kenyans speaking better English than Nigerians were taken out of context.

Speaking during a live programme on Tuesday in Nairobi, Mr Ruto made the clarification while presiding over the opening of a forum organised by the Ministry of Mining.

“Please pass my regards, minister, to President Tinubu, my friend, and to the great people of Nigeria, who are my in-laws, and do so in good English.

He explained that his earlier remarks had been taken out of context, adding that what was intended as a private conversation was later made public and misrepresented.

“I was speaking to my fellow citizens somewhere, and it was supposed to be a private conversation, but somebody decided that it should be public. And they also misrepresented the facts,” Mr Ruto said.

He added, “You know, for you to understand the excellent English of Nigeria. So that was the comparison, but somebody decided to take it out of context.

“But I think it is as well that we can have this conversation. And my in-laws, I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done.”