CNN told to apologise over blasts gaffe

Kenya has demanded an apology from media network CNN over the recent gaffe that violence had erupted in the country.

This was after the grenade attack in Nairobi last Saturday which CNN portrayed as an eruption of violence.

The attack left seven people dead and more than 60 others injured. Al-Shabaab are the chief suspects but they have denied responsibility.

Kenya’s ambassador to the United States, Mr Elkanah Odembo, has written to CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, demanding a formal apology.

Scorching flag

He said it was unfortunate that CNN would use a banner with a burning Kenyan flag which was in no way was related to the events of the Saturday’ grenade explosion.

“Surely, CNN can do better than that,” he wrote.

Mr Odembo said he expected CNN to take full responsibility for misinforming its viewers at a time when Kenya was recovering a dented image after the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

He said the casual apology by Nairobi-based reporter was not enough. “The least we can expect is a written explanation accompanied by a formal apology,” he said.