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 posted on X.
According to the DPP, 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 style of music originates in Tanzania, featuring lyrics in Swahili and romantic melodies accompanied by an urban beat, often influenced by traditional taarab music from the East African coast.
Matonya rose to prominence about 15 years ago and continues to perform across East Africa, well-known for tracks such as Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu, and Mapito. During the court hearing, prosecutors indicated that the alleged sexual assault occurred at an apartment in Nyali on Tuesday.
The DPP expressed concern about ensuring the musician remains in the court's jurisdiction and directed immigration authorities to place an alert at border points. The authorities in Tanzania have not commented on the case. However, it has prompted a social media debate, with some calling for support for Matonya while others emphasize the seriousness of the allegations and the need for justice.
According to the DPP, 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 style of music originates in Tanzania, featuring lyrics in Swahili and romantic melodies accompanied by an urban beat, often influenced by traditional taarab music from the East African coast.
Matonya rose to prominence about 15 years ago and continues to perform across East Africa, well-known for tracks such as Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu, and Mapito. During the court hearing, prosecutors indicated that the alleged sexual assault occurred at an apartment in Nyali on Tuesday.
The DPP expressed concern about ensuring the musician remains in the court's jurisdiction and directed immigration authorities to place an alert at border points. The authorities in Tanzania have not commented on the case. However, it has prompted a social media debate, with some calling for support for Matonya while others emphasize the seriousness of the allegations and the need for justice.
