US journalist Rob Finnerty has promised to address criticism over remarks in which he portrayed Nairobi as an example of how immigration was changing American cities, following an apology that drew mixed reactions from Kenyans.
In a post on X at 1:38 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Finnerty wrote: “I will address this on the air tonight…” He did not specify whether his planned address would include a further apology or an explanation of his earlier comments.
The statement followed an October 13 apology after Finnerty faced backlash for remarks made during a broadcast discussing immigration in the United States.
Finnerty's controversial remarks
During the segment, Finnerty claimed that former US President Joe Biden had allowed millions of immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and South America into the country, arguing that their arrival was changing American cities.
He said sanctuary cities were beginning to look “more like Nairobi than New York City” before showing footage of people identifying themselves as being from countries including Guatemala, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mexico and Guinea.
Finnerty subsequently referred to New York City’s new mayor, who was born in Uganda, questioning why the city should look more like Uganda.
The remarks prompted criticism from Kenyans who objected to Nairobi being presented as an example of urban decline in an American debate about immigration. Some questioned the relevance of the Kenyan capital to the challenges Finnerty was discussing in the United States.
Reactions from Kenyans
In his apology, Finnerty acknowledged the offence caused by his remarks, writing: “I want to offer an apology to the people of Nairobi, Kenya. The passion you have your city and homeland is amazing… We all make mistakes. I misspoke, and I am sorry to anyone I have offended.🙌”
However, the statement did not end the controversy, with some Kenyans demanding that he apologise on television rather than through social media.
One user called for a 20-minute on-air apology, while another jokingly suggested that Finnerty should sing the Kenyan national anthem before his apology could be accepted. Others mocked him for responding to the backlash, while some accused him of unfairly associating Nairobi with problems in American cities.
Calls for further apology
One prominent reaction argued that Nairobi had been unnecessarily drawn into a debate about US immigration and criticised the dismissive portrayal of Africa.
Finnerty’s latest post signals his intention to address the criticism during his broadcast. However, his statement does not establish what he will say, and the promised address had not been confirmed as having taken place at the time of publication.
