The services, introduced to alleviate the cost of medical and funeral transportation, have been accused of promoting death in the community.
Speaking during a Sunday event, Mupe announced the services would be halted starting January 2025 for a six-month period.
During this time, he and stakeholders of the TeamChapaKazi initiative, which runs the program, will review its impact and decide whether to reintroduce or terminate it entirely.
“For two years, we have provided these services to reduce the financial burden on families,” Mupe noted.
“However, following the backlash, I have decided to suspend them for six months to reassess their effectiveness.”
The MP’s decision has sparked debate in Rabai, with some supporting the suspension as a response to cultural sensitivities, while others see it as a setback for vulnerable residents who relied on the initiative.
At the same event, Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Lengarie issued a stern warning to local chiefs over their role in permitting disco matanga gatherings.
These overnight funeral celebrations, once a respected cultural tradition, have faced criticism for becoming hubs of teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, and violence.
Lengarie emphasized that starting January, chiefs in areas hosting such events would face disciplinary action, including potential dismissal.
The debate over disco matanga has long divided Kilifi County.
During his tenure, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i imposed a ban on these events, citing criminal activity and social harm.
While some leaders, including the late MP William Kamoti, defended the gatherings as cultural rites, others argued the events had lost their traditional value.
In 2022, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa lifted the ban, shifting responsibility to parents and local law enforcement to ensure children’s safety.
However, challenges in enforcing this accountability have led to renewed calls for stricter control.
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