Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that cultural practices such as disco matanga are contributing to the high rates of defilement and teenage pregnancies in Homa Bay County and other parts of Nyanza.
Speaking ahead of the Jukwaa la Usalama townhall meeting on Tuesday, Murkomen said that despite the county government implementing a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) policy, cases of defilement remain disturbingly high.
“The prevalence of defilement cases here is also promoted by repugnant cultural practices, including disco matanga, which has been banned. Many of the children that are defiled are affected during the holidays,” he said.
Disco matanga are nighttime vigils held at the home of a deceased person, where relatives and neighbours gather to mourn and celebrate the departed. While the events are meant to show solidarity, they often turn into all-night dance parties, leaving children unsupervised and vulnerable to abuse.
In 2018, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i banned disco matanga, citing its link to early pregnancies, school dropouts, and rising crime. However, the practice persists in parts of Western Kenya and Nyanza, undermining efforts to protect children.
Murkomen also cautioned against communities covering up defilement cases through out-of-court settlements, particularly when perpetrators are relatives or individuals in positions of trust.
“These are high crimes; we do not want communities to hide perpetrators," he said, adding that teachers, religious leaders, and family members sometimes shield offenders.
The CS said his ministry will work closely with chiefs and their assistants to enforce the ban and dismantle networks that protect offenders. "We want to make sure that the entire society is supporting law enforcement agencies in dealing with cases of defilement and Gender-Based Violence, which is affecting many parts of our country,” he said.
Murkomen was joined on the 40th Jukwaa la Usalama county visit by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Immigration PS Belio Kipsang, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, and senior security officials led by Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli.
Following a security meeting, Murkomen and his team oversaw ID and civil registration exercises at Governor’s Park as part of International Identity Day activities. They are set to engage the public further during a town hall meeting at the County Commissioner’s residence.
