Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Aisha Jumwa, on Friday, November 25, blamed parents while lifting the ban on disco matanga in Kilifi County.
While addressing a gathering at Water Sports Grounds in Kilifi, Jumwa argued that poor parenting had led to immorality - not just among children in the county but the whole country.
“As a parent, you should always know where your child is. When the child leaves home for these functions, where is the parent?
"Do not abscond your duties and allow your child to roam around then you blame disco matanga. The solution is to arrest a few parents and charge them,” she added while officially launching the 16 Days of Activism.
She, however, asked the police to ensure that under 18's were prohibited from attending the functions.
"Minors should not be allowed in these functions. Police should arrest those who are found attending the events,” she ordered.
Jumwa argued that the ban on disco matanga had negatively impacted the businesspersons in the entertainment sector.
“We promised to uplift small businesses and not kill them. The ban has deprived many people of their livelihoods. Hence I lift the ban on disco matanga," Jumwa declared.
A Member of the County Assembly from the county, however, contradicted with Jumwa's decision to lift the ban on night vigils.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, November 26, the Kenya MCA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the return of disco matanga will exacerbate the state of teenage pregnancy in the area.
"Kilifi County has been leading in terms of teenage pregnancies. It makes me wonder why a Cabinet Secretary would order their return," the MCA lamented.
In 2018, the then-former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i imposed a countrywide ban on disco matanga, arguing that the event had contributed to the high number of teenage pregnancies in the country.
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), states that lack of knowledge about sexual health and family planning pervades Kilifi County's conservative culture.
The silence had led to one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Kenya, at 22 per cent, compared to the national average of 18 per cent.
