Newsmax journalist Rob Finnerty has apologised to Kenyans following backlash over his comparison of Nairobi to some American cities he claimed were deteriorating because of immigration.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, Finnerty admitted he had misspoken and expressed regret over the remarks that angered Kenyans.
“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 followed comments he made on October 9 while discussing immigration and urban decline in the United States. The remarks sparked criticism from Kenyans, who accused him of unfairly portraying the Kenyan capital.
Finnerty Links Immigration to Urban Decline
During the broadcast, Finnerty blamed former US President Joe Biden for allowing millions of immigrants into the country. He argued that their arrival had contributed to the deterioration of some American cities.
The journalist claimed that immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and South America had moved into sanctuary cities. He then compared the appearance of those cities to Nairobi rather than New York.
“We have no idea where these people are from, they move to blue sanctuary cities and the cities start to look like Nairobi than New York,” he said.
The comparison quickly drew criticism online, with Kenyans demanding an explanation for using Nairobi as a negative example in a debate about immigration.
Kenyans Challenge Nairobi Comparison
Some social media users questioned the basis for Finnerty’s remarks, noting that the immigrants featured in the broadcast were not necessarily from Kenya.
One user criticised the journalist for using Nairobi as a punchline while discussing problems in New York.
“You can always criticize New York’s filth on its own merit without dragging Nairobi into it,” the user wrote, describing the comparison as unprofessional.
The user also questioned why Finnerty invoked the Kenyan capital when discussing immigrants whose backgrounds did not establish a connection to Nairobi.
The backlash has renewed debate about how international media portray African cities, particularly when commentators use them as symbols of urban decline.
Finnerty’s apology acknowledges the offence his remarks caused. However, the incident has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding foreign media portrayals of Nairobi and the wider African continent.
