Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani, popularly known as Matonya, has been arrested and charged with rape in Kenya.
The 43-year-old denied the charge when he appeared in court in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has said in a statement.
The court granted him bail - set at 500,000 Kenyan shillings ($3,900, £2,900) - and ordered him to surrender his Tanzanian passport.
The award-winning artist is beloved for his bongo flava hits. This genre originates in Tanzania, characterized by Swahili lyrics and romantic melodies blended with urban beats, often influenced by traditional taarab music from the East African coast.
Matonya rose to prominence about 15 years ago and continues to perform widely across East Africa, with popular songs like Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu, and Mapito.
During the court hearing, prosecutors stated that the alleged sexual assault occurred in an apartment in the beach resort of Nyali.
The DPP emphasized the importance of ensuring that the musician remains under the court's jurisdiction, instructing immigration authorities to alert border points.
The authorities in Tanzania have not commented on the case, but it has evoked a range of reactions on social media and within Tanzania's music industry, with some calling for support for Matonya and urging for due process while others demand justice regarding the serious allegations.
