{"id":590,"date":"2026-10-13T06:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updateplug.co.ke\/?p=590"},"modified":"2026-10-13T06:24:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:24:03","slug":"%f0%9d%90%8d%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%b0%f0%9d%90%ac%f0%9d%90%a6%f0%9d%90%9a%f0%9d%90%b1-%f0%9d%90%87%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%ac%f0%9d%90%ad-%f0%9d%90%91%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%9b-%f0%9d%90%85%f0%9d%90%a2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updateplug.co.ke\/?p=590","title":{"rendered":"\ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc30\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc26\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc31 \ud835\udc07\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc2d \ud835\udc11\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc1b \ud835\udc05\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc32 \ud835\udc00\ud835\udc29\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc25\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc2c \ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc28 \ud835\udc0a\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc32\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc2c \ud835\udc0e\ud835\udc2f\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc2b \ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc1b\ud835\udc22 \ud835\udc11\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc26\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc24\ud835\udc2c"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rob Finnerty Photo Courtesy of Nexttv<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finnerty issued an apology , admitting that he had misspoken after his remarks sparked anger among Kenyans on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI want to offer an apology to the people of Nairobi, Kenya. The passion you have for your city and homeland is amazing\u2026 We all make mistakes. I misspoke, and I am sorry to anyone I have offended,\u201d Finnerty said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The controversy began during a Newsmax broadcast in which Finnerty discussed immigration, street conditions and delivery workers in New York City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He argued that immigration from developing countries under former United States President Joe Biden had changed the appearance and character of some American cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThey move to blue sanctuary cities, and the cities then start to look more like Nairobi than New York City,\u201d he said during the programme. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The programme also featured interviews with people who said they came from countries including Guatemala, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mexico and Guinea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Kenyan media outlet K24 Digital, Finnerty had also issued a shorter apology on October 12, saying, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, I hear you loud and clear\u2026 I apologise, and I will try to do better!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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