๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ฑ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ง๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ
Rob Finnerty Photo Courtesy of Nexttv
American television host Rob Finnerty has apologised to Kenyans after facing criticism for comparing New York City to Nairobi during a discussion about immigration on Newsmax.
Finnerty issued an apology , admitting that he had misspoken after his remarks sparked anger among Kenyans on social media.
โI want to offer an apology to the people of Nairobi, Kenya. The passion you have for your city and homeland is amazingโฆ We all make mistakes. I misspoke, and I am sorry to anyone I have offended,โ Finnerty said.
The controversy began during a Newsmax broadcast in which Finnerty discussed immigration, street conditions and delivery workers in New York City.
He argued that immigration from developing countries under former United States President Joe Biden had changed the appearance and character of some American cities.
โThey move to blue sanctuary cities, and the cities then start to look more like Nairobi than New York City,โ he said during the programme.
The programme also featured interviews with people who said they came from countries including Guatemala, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mexico and Guinea.
None of those interviewed in the clip identified themselves as Kenyan or as coming from Nairobi, raising questions among critics about why the Kenyan capital was used in the comparison.
Following the broadcast, Kenyans criticised Finnerty and Newsmax on social media, with some demanding an apology. Others questioned the use of Nairobi as a negative example in a discussion about immigration in the United States.
The remarks also reignited debate about how African cities are portrayed in international media, with critics arguing that such comparisons can reinforce negative stereotypes about African countries.
According to Kenyan media outlet K24 Digital, Finnerty had also issued a shorter apology on October 12, saying,
โHey, I hear you loud and clearโฆ I apologise, and I will try to do better!โ
Before making the more detailed statement the following day. The apology comes amid criticism from Kenyans who want international media personalities to portray Nairobi and Kenya fairly and accurately.
