Newsmax Journalist Rob Finnerty Apologies to Kenyans Over Nairobi Slur

US-based TV journalist Rob Finnerty, who works for Newsmax, has issued a personal apology to Kenyans following backlash over his comparison of New York City’s deteriorating state to Nairobi.

In a statement released on October 13, Finnerty admitted that he had misspoken and extended his regrets to anyone who felt offended by his remarks. “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,” he said.

The apology came after Finnerty’s October 9 broadcast, during which he drew a link between immigration and the decline of certain American cities, specifically referencing Nairobi. In that segment, he claimed that former US President Joe Biden had allowed millions of migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and South America into the country, arguing that their arrival had changed the character of cities such as New York.

Finnerty further asserted that some American cities were beginning to resemble Nairobi more than New York City, citing immigration and sanctuary city policies as factors. He also referenced New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Ugandan birthplace, questioning why the city should begin to look like Uganda.

“We have no idea where these people are from. They move to blue sanctuary cities, and the cities then start to look more like Nairobi than New York City. Take a look. Every single person we talked to were immigrants from third world countries, which is exactly what the new socialist mayor of New York City wants,” he said during the broadcast.

Kenyans on X have reacted with mixed feelings to Finnerty’s apology, with some insisting that a written statement is not enough and calling for a public apology on television.