- Newsmax anchor Rob Finnerty issued a live on-air apology to Kenyans after comparing New York City to Nairobi during a segment on urban decline
- Finnerty called his original comparison "stupid," acknowledging that Nairobi is thriving as a centre for commerce, tech, education and tourism
- The apology video, shared on October 14, 2026, went viral and drew strong reactions from Kenyans across social media
An American cable news anchor made headlines on October 14, 2026, after delivering a formal, on-air apology to the people of Kenya following remarks he made comparing New York City's struggles to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Source: Facebook
Rob Finnerty, a broadcaster on Newsmax, had previously drawn sharp criticism after invoking Nairobi's name while raising concerns about the state of New York City under its current mayor, framing the comparison in terms of urban decay. The backlash from Kenyans was swift and loud.
Addressing the controversy directly on his programme, Finnerty did not hold back in condemning his own words.
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"While discussing my concerns about New York City turning into a third-world city under the new mayor, I compared what New York City has become to the city of Nairobi, which was just wrong," he said.
He went on to describe his original comparison as "stupid," adding that Nairobi had, in fact, become a thriving hub.
"Nairobi is actually thriving. It's become a centre for commerce, tech, education, tourism, and from everything that I hear, it is a wonderful place," Finnerty said during the segment.
He also acknowledged a professional obligation he felt he had let down.
"I know I've got the responsibility as a broadcaster, as a journalist, to speak thoughtfully and respectfully, and I failed here," he admitted, before directly appealing to Kenyans: "I hope the people of Kenya accept this apology. Even though you might not like me, I truly do hope that you forgive me."
Watch Finnerty's full apology as it aired on Newsmax:
How Kenyans Responded
The apology clip spread rapidly online, with many Kenyans choosing grace over grievance, though some had a few extra requests.
@Denno Kim: "He got the attention he didn't expect. Apology accepted."
@Njeri: "Like I said, this is a great start. Now, he shouldn't hear of how amazing Nairobi is, let him come visit."
@Joy: "He needs to apologize to Lupita now..."
The reactions suggest that while many Kenyans were willing to move on, the incident had stirred a broader conversation about how African cities are portrayed in Western media. For Finnerty, the apology appeared to be a genuine attempt at accountability rather than a forced correction, with the anchor openly admitting fault in a media landscape where such candour remains rare.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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