By Johnson Chengo
The ban on Night- mourning events popularly known as Disco Matanga in Kilifi County still stands, acting Kilifi County Commissioner Geoffrey Tanui has maintained.
Speaking at Juhudi primary school in Kauma sub-county during the Jamhuri day celebration, Tanui said the ban will be extended to all discos played during the night in social functions.
The celebrations, Tanui said, contribute to insecurity and even early pregnancies among teenagers.
“The discos do not play only in funerals but even in weddings. We will allow you to play during the day because nights are meant for sleeping. We need to take care of our children because we have a very long holiday and if we will not be careful we may not get students in our schools when they reopen in January,” he said.
He said the devices are no longer cultural events, adding that criminals are taking advantage to commit felony.
He challenged political leaders in Kilifi County to cooperate to ensure that the discos and night celebrations do not take place.
“I want all political leaders to support us by speaking against it. If you speak otherwise then you will be hurting your own people,” he said.
His statement was echoed by Kilifi County Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu who urged parents to take responsibility in taking care of their children.
Mbeyu also asked the police officers to take action against those who will be found playing the discos.
Tanui’s sentiments come barely a month after Gender CS Aisha Jumwa announced the lifting of the disco Matanga ban during the launch of the 16 days of activism in Kilifi County.
When she lifted the ban, Jumwa said the ban, which was imposed in 2019, has hut the businesses of many people in the county.
Jumwa ordered the police to arrest minors who will be found in the disco matangas.
The CS said most parents have neglected their responsibility and blame the government for their failure.
The then interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i imposed the ban after more than 17, 000 cases of teenage girls were reported pregnant in 2019 by Kilifi County Referral Hospital.
