Newsmax Anchor Rob Finnerty Apologises to Kenyans Over Nairobi Remarks
American television presenter Rob Finnerty has apologised to Kenyans after sparking outrage over comments comparing New York City’s immigration situation to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Finnerty, a host on the US-based Newsmax television network, made the controversial remarks during a live primetime broadcast while discussing immigration policies and the challenges facing major cities in the United States and Europe.
During the broadcast, Finnerty criticised former US President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, claiming that millions of immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and South America had entered the United States.
“Joe Biden let millions of people from third-world countries — Africa, the Middle East, South America — we have no idea where these people are from,” Finnerty said.
He went on to suggest that the influx of immigrants into cities governed by Democrats was changing their character, adding that such cities were beginning to resemble Nairobi rather than New York.
The remarks triggered a strong reaction from Kenyans on social media, with many condemning the comparison as disrespectful and portraying Nairobi negatively.
Finnerty Issues Public Apology
Following the backlash, Finnerty took to his X account to apologise to the people of Nairobi, describing his remarks as a mistake and acknowledging the strong attachment Kenyans have to their capital city and homeland.
“I want to offer an apology to the people of Nairobi, Kenya. The passion you have for your city and homeland is amazing… We all make mistakes. I misspoke, and I am sorry to anyone I have offended,” Finnerty wrote.
His apology came after the comments attracted widespread criticism online, with Kenyans challenging the portrayal of Nairobi and questioning the use of the city as a negative comparison in discussions about immigration.
Kenyans Demand an On-Air Apology
Despite the public apology, some Kenyans have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the apology should also be delivered on television.
Critics maintain that since the original remarks were made during a live broadcast, an on-air apology would be a more appropriate way to address the controversy.
The incident has reignited conversations about how African cities are represented in international media, particularly when they are used as examples in political debates about immigration, security and urban change.
While Finnerty has acknowledged that his comments were a mistake, the reaction highlights the sensitivity surrounding the portrayal of African cities and the importance of responsible language in international news coverage.
KASSmtv News will continue to follow developments surrounding the controversy and the reactions from Kenyans.
