This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
On October 9, 2018, a video of Citizen TV's Jackie Maribe and her father in court went viral, showcasing the value of family. While some people thought it was a PR stunt, others praised the father for standing by his daughter during her trial.
However, popular blogger Robert Alai took a different stance, calling Maribe's father a 'pimp' who failed to guide his daughter properly. According to Alai, a pimp is a man who controls prostitutes and arranges clients for them, taking a percentage of their earnings in return.
Alai's comments sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Kenyans defending Maribe's father. Ex-Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was among those who found Alai's sentiments too harsh, saying that a parent can only guide and be there for their children.
Others, like M'itonga, argued that children from controlling parents often turn out to be spoiled. 'To think that children make mistakes due to lack of proper counsel is narrow-minded & quite naive,' M'itonga tweeted.
Maribe's father has been praised for his love and support for his daughter, with many people saying that he is a true father figure. As one Twitter user put it, 'No real father wants to see his children hurting. Including yourself.'
Alai's comments have been met with criticism, with many people accusing him of being unfair and judgmental. 'It doesn't look like you were offered guidance going by the way you attack people and your half-truth rants,' one Twitter user said.
Published on July 27, 2019
