US television journalist Rob Finnerty has apologised to Nairobi residents following backlash over remarks in which he compared the Kenyan capital to New York City during a discussion about immigration in the United States.
Finnerty, who hosts a programme on Newsmax, sparked criticism after suggesting that some American cities were beginning to resemble Nairobi as a result of immigration from developing countries.
“They move to blue sanctuary cities, and the cities then start to look more like Nairobi than New York City,” Finnerty said during the broadcast.
The remarks drew reactions from Kenyans on social media, with critics accusing the journalist of portraying Nairobi negatively and using the city as a symbol of urban disorder.
Some questioned why Nairobi had been singled out in the discussion, particularly as the people featured in the segment reportedly identified themselves as being from other countries.
Following the backlash, Finnerty issued an apology, expressing regret to Nairobi residents who felt offended by his comments and acknowledging that he had misspoken.
The controversy centred on his use of Nairobi as a negative comparison while discussing the impact of immigration on American cities.
Finnerty’s remarks also reignited online discussions about how African cities are represented in international media, with critics arguing that such comparisons can reinforce negative perceptions of the continent.
Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and a major economic, commercial and technological hub in East Africa.
The apology came amid continued debate over immigration in the United States, particularly policies affecting so-called sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement in certain circumstances.
Finnerty’s comments and subsequent apology have drawn attention to the way international broadcasters frame discussions about immigration and the cities used to illustrate their arguments.
