Interior CS Fred Matiangi. [File, Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has banned disco matangas and said they are to blame for teenage pregnancies.
The CS directed the County police commander to confiscate music systems in such ceremonies, arrest the people present and present them in court.
“We have agreed with the county security team that this thing is banned. There will be no disco matanga in Trans Nzoia from now and forever,” said CS Matiang’i.
The CS tore through the age-old culture saying it has affected the education of underage students in the county which he says is “leading in the number of teenage pregnancies in the country”.
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Matiang’i has compared the disco matanga-situation in Trans Nzoia to that in Kilifi which he boasted to have stumped out in the past.
“How we did it that side is how we will do it here,” he said.
The coarse no-nonsense CS also warned that chiefs who allow such ceremonies to take place will be stripped of their uniform and another appointed in their place.
The CS has also called for the prosecution of those who impregnate underage girls and has vowed not to leave the country before he gets answers from the security team in the area.
“Some of these girls were impregnated by adults. Before I leave Trans Nzoia today I want the county commissioner and the county police commander to tell me how many people they have arrested,” said the CS.
Dr Matiang’i made his remarks while touring the county in the company of Devolution and ASALs CS Eugene Wamalwa to assess government projects in the region.
However, the CS also took time to state the important role of the county and how the government is injecting Sh20 billion for development projects in the region before the end of the financial year.
The billions will be pumped to building roads, water projects and an airstrip that will offer direct flights to the county.
Dr Matiang’i has also promised the locals of the prompt ironing out of the title deed problems that have left the county plagued with land-related conflicts.
