Bernice Saroni, a Kenyan social media personality based in the US, has expressed concerns over the safety of children in American schools after her son, Junior Mwangangi, was allegedly choked by a fellow student. The incident occurred on November 3, 2026, at Junior's school, when a sixth-grade student attacked him from behind, leaving him struggling to breathe. Saroni recounted the incident on social media, stating that it stemmed from a disagreement involving a traffic cone about a week earlier.
According to Saroni, Junior had accidentally knocked down the traffic cone, prompting the other student's father to pick it up, after which her son apologized. However, the pupil allegedly held a grudge over the incident and confronted Junior days later, choking him and saying, "You made my dad angry." Saroni's son was rescued by his friends, who stepped in to stop the attack. Junior later called his mother, crying and struggling to breathe, telling her, "Mommy, a kid choked me!"
Saroni questioned the school's supervision arrangements, saying she immediately contacted the school to establish how her son had been attacked while under its care. She claimed that teachers had been outside while the pupils were left unsupervised in the bus room. The school principal initially said she was unaware of what had happened but promised to review CCTV footage. Saroni said the principal later confirmed that the footage showed the sixth-grade student choking Junior.
The incident has left Saroni questioning the measures in place to protect pupils from violence in schools. She expressed concern over what she described as hatred and violence directed at Black children, stating that as a Black mother raising four Black sons in the United States, she cannot help but ask, "Why so much hatred? Why should our children have to experience this kind of violence?" Saroni emphasized that no child deserved to be subjected to violence or made to feel unsafe at school.
Saroni admitted that the experience had shaken her confidence in the school's ability to protect her children, explaining that parents send their children to school trusting that they will be safe. She vowed not to remain silent whenever the safety and wellbeing of her children were threatened, stating, "I will not keep quiet when it comes to the safety of my children!" Saroni concluded her emotional message with a prayer for children, particularly those whose parents cannot always be physically present to protect them.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about school safety and the protection of children from violence. Saroni's concerns are shared by many parents who worry about the safety of their children in schools. As a mother of four Black sons, Saroni's experience highlights the need for schools to be vigilant and proactive in preventing incidents of violence and ensuring that children feel safe and protected.
Saroni's case has garnered significant attention on social media, with many users expressing support for her and calling for greater accountability in schools. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing children's safety and wellbeing in educational settings. Key issues raised by Saroni, including the need for improved supervision and measures to prevent violence, are likely to continue to be debated by educators, policymakers, and parents.
Key points
- Bernice Saroni's son Junior was choked by a fellow student in a US school, sparking concerns over children's safety.
- The incident has raised questions about school supervision arrangements and measures to protect pupils from violence.
- Saroni has expressed concerns over hatred and violence directed at Black children in the US.
