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 is a style of music originating in Tanzania with 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 still performs across East Africa – especially his favourites such as Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu and Mapito.

During the court hearing on Thursday, prosecutors said the alleged sexual assault took place at an apartment in the beach resort of Nyali on Tuesday.

The DPP said it was anxious the musician remained in the court’s jurisdiction and said the immigration authorities had been directed to place an alert at border points.

The authorities in Tanzania have not commented on the case.

But it has triggered debate on social media and within Tanzania’s music industry – some calling for support for Matonya and urging due process, while others have stressed the seriousness of the allegations and the need for justice.

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