As the choir of online criticism hits crescendo after the publication of viral video of a pubescent Nairobian in an abusive rant, one unlikely voice has come out strong in defense of the now notorious Consolata boy: Millie Mabona Odhiambo.
The boy – whose videos went viral over the weekend – posted an abusive tirade against a peer, claiming she accused him of being gay.
In an attempt to defend his reputation, the young man launched a foul-mouthed tirade against the girl – a move that drove the situation to the top of Kenya’s Twitter trends.
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A section of social media users even asked the esteemed religious school to take tough disciplinary action on the boy.
Millie: Don’t suspend him
In a Sunday evening post on her Facebook page, outspoken Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo pleaded with Consolata School to refrain from suspending the child.
“Consolata School, please do not suspend him despite pressure from parents. He is a child in need of care and protection under the Children's Act. Get him and the alleged bullying kids into counselling,” she wrote Sunday night.
In a phone call with K24 Digital, an administrator at the school confirmed that the boy is indeed a pupil at the Nairobi-based school, referring questions about the case to the school principal.
By the time of publication, the principal had not given an official statement about the incident.
What if it was your child?
Telling social media users to stop sharing the boy’s video, Millie Odhiambo blasted online critics for cyber-bullying the child.
“I am sure if it was your child, you would wish the video is not shared. Let us not through eagerness to appear concerned harm that boy. What he did was wrong but he is a child. As an adult you are in effect turning to a cyber harasser of a kid,” she fired back at online commentators.
Mabona also urged the young boy’s parents to keep him off social networks, adding that the boy’s subsequent apology video was doing more harm than good.
“As for the parent/s or guardian, get your child off social media. No need getting him to apologise to the public. You are making it worse,” the vocal MP advised.
She expressed hope that, with the right the support, the Consolata boy could reform.
“I wish him well. He is still evolving. With proper guidance, he will turn out alright.”
