ODM Communications Director Philip Etale has revealed why he avoids engaging with negative comments on social media, sharing a personal story of loss and guidance from party leader Raila Odinga.
As the family’s sole provider, he had exhausted his savings trying to cover her treatment and was unable to travel to Eldoret for a final visit despite repeated requests from his sisters.
On January 14, 2014, while still coping with his mother’s illness, Etale engaged in a heated online exchange with a blogger over a post about Raila Odinga.
Later that day, Raila Odinga called him with advice that would leave a lasting impression.
“My boss said, ‘Philip, I have seen you engaging that guy on social media bitterly. Don’t do that, don’t waste your energy on people who only want to provoke you,’” Etale recalled.
Odinga encouraged him to avoid reacting to provocative comments and focus on what truly matters.
Etale said the lesson became a guiding principle in his personal and professional life.
“Tolerance is sanctimonious and sententious. You don’t have to react harshly to be a hero, but silence makes you a great person,” he wrote.
The communications director’s story highlights the pressures of public life, the emotional toll of personal loss, and the importance of mentorship in shaping responses to online criticism.
His reflection also offers insight into how political figures balance human vulnerability with public engagement in the digital era.