A Section of Kenyans Accuses CNN of Negative Publicity Ahead of Obama’s Visit, Government Demands Apology

CANAA || By Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla || 23 July 2015

A section of Kenyans has expressed deep dissatisfaction to CNN’s reference to Kenya as being in “a region that’s a hotbed of terror” and taken to the social media, accusing the American news channel of negative publicity ahead of Obama’s three-day visit beginning this Friday.

In an online article, CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr writes, “President Barack Obama is not just heading to his father's homeland, but to a region that's a hotbed of terror,” making specific reference to the Al-Shabaab militant group as posing security threats for Obama’s trip.

“A Kenyan flight bulletin outlining some details of the President's trip has been released, including when airspace in Nairobi would be closed because of the arrival and departure of Air Force One,” the CNN correspondent goes on to say and adds, “Such details are usually kept secret for security reasons.”

The online article followed an interview aired during CNN’s news show Erin Burnett UPFRONT, which the stand-in host Kate Bolduan introduced using the line, ".....and now security concerns for President Obama on the eve of his trip to one of the most dangerous countries in the world."

In the interview, Kenya was described as a country with “questionable security concerns worse than Iraq and Afghanistan.”

These statements have aroused outrage among a section of Kenyans, who have taken to the social media decrying unwarranted negative profiling of their country using the hashtag #SomeoneTellCNN, with the Kenyan government demanding apologies from CNN.

“I don't get why international journalists always report negative things about Africa. Africa is NOT what you think,” one Kenyan lamented, complementing another Kenyan who Twitted, “CNN (reporters are) trying their best to paint Kenya as a terror country, #SomeoneTellCNN that we have a billion reasons to believe in KENYA.”

“Look for the good and inspiring in Kenya. Stop rehashing your old stories of terror,” a Kenyan advised, another one adding, “At least they didn't say "Ebola" hotbed.”

“Unless you are the one bringing the terror, we are a hotbed of investment & great people,” a prominent Kenyan businessman Twitted.

Other Kenyans recalled the country as a tourist destination, inviting CNN reporters to visit the country and enjoy its beauty.

"We are a Tourism hot bed. We don't brag about it by the way," one Twitted. “If we were a terror hotbed wildebeest migration would be a story,” another Twitted.

Some other Kenyans wanted focus shifted to athletics, illustrated by a Tweet like, “Here is the real terrorist that has terrorised you for decades, our heroes! The athletics…”

While some Tweets bordered on insults, other Kenyans chose sarcasms, exemplified by Tweets like, "rather ask CNN if they confirmed with Aljazeera or @least the state broadcaster."

Still, other Tweets played on the initials of the news agency CNN, like “We didn't know CNN means Cooked News Network,” and “CNN is Clearly No News.”

“Obama is still coming regardless of Kenya being a "hotbed for terror". Their opinion don't matter,” a Kenyan Twitted using the hashtag #SomeoneTellCNN

“A tribal hotbed would have been more appropriate than terror hotbed,” One Kenyan remarked on Facebook.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Joseph Nkaissery, has called on CNN to apologize for calling the East African region “a hotbed of terror.”

“This announcement is based on lies. It demonstrates heightened irresponsibility by the media network and smacks of arrogance," Nkaissery told journalists at Harambee House in Nairobi on Thursday.

“Despite the terror attacks recently experienced by the country, it does not in any way turn Kenya into a hotbed of terrorism as alleged by CNN,” Nkaissery said and lamented that this was not the first time CNN was misreporting on Kenya.

“I take this opportunity to condemn this negative campaign by CNN and strongly protest at what is becoming a pattern of an anti-Kenya propaganda by CNN," he said.

“If they are civilized enough they should apologize,” Nkaissery said in response to a question from a journalist during the Thursday press conference.

The Cabinet Secretary went on to laud Kenyans for speaking up on the misreporting and asked them to treat CNN’s remarks with the contempt they deserve.

Obama’s trip to Kenya has been described as historic, considering that it is the first time a sitting U.S President will be visiting the country.

Kenya is also Obama’s paternal homeland and it will be the first time he will visiting Kenya where citizens claim him as kin as U.S commander-in-chief.

The trip has been termed “homecoming” and has been highly anticipated by many Kenyans.

The U.S. president will address the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday, before traveling to Ethiopia on Sunday.

While Kenyan entrepreneurs are hoping that the visit by the U.S President will have long term benefits on the country's economic development, the immediate consequences of this visit will be clearly felt in Kenya’s capital, with airways and major roads into the city gearing up for a complete lockdown, a disruption that will impair the daily routine of businesses.

Despite the rage under the hashtag #SomeoneTellCNN a recent survey by Pew Research Center has revealed that “the U.S. receives higher favorable ratings in Africa than in any other region” around the globe.