A video of a boy from Consolata School hurling unprintable insults at a girl schoolmate for allegedly calling him gay has had many Kenyans speaking in the past few days.
While some like The National Parents Association chair, Nicholas Maiyo, blame it on the loose ends in the country's legislation in the use of technology which has made it possible for children to learn such foul language only found in X-rated adult movies, others opine that peer pressure and the environment is to blame for the boy's outburst.
As such, many are of the agreement that there is a need to instil moral values which will discourage such behaviour rather than just getting hysterical about the whole thing on the internet and then abandoning it in totality until an ugly episode comes knocking.
But how do we go about it? Well, in Kikuyu traditional culture, there were a number of ways that this boy would have been dealt with so that he never repeats such behaviour while he sets a good example for the rest of his ilk.
1. Spending at least one night tied on the 'itara'
'Itara' for the non-Kikuyu language speakers is a place over the kitchen's fireplace where firewood is kept to dry. Naughty boys would be tied and left there overnight while ensuring there was enough smoke to keep the naughty child 'well-aerated'. On leaving the 'itara' the following morning, the 'culprit' would be sure never to repeat the offence again.
2. Through thrashing
This was a sure way to ensure the bull-headed stayed on the right path of societal norms. Thrashing them on bare back especially in front of other children ensured he never dared repeat the offence in question.
3.Going without 'sweet' food
There was no other better time than when the family was having a preferred meal. Deny the child the meal and let them go hungry. The reality of having a repeat of this in future will deter the child from ever repeating the mistake again.
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