Popular Tanzanian musician Matonya charged with rape in Kenya

The 43-year-old denies the charge and has been released on bail and had to surrender his passport. Top Tanzanian musician Matonya charged with rape in Kenya Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Matonya, who has denied the charge, has a string of "bongo flava" hits and performs across East Africa Close-up of musician Sefu Shabani in a black bandana with a white design posing with his hands near his face. He is wearing a chunky gold chain necklace and bracelet. Popular Tanzanian musician Matonya charged with rape in Kenya 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 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. Swahili’s growing influence outside East Africa A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The foreign minister says the accusations, involving children, were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. More than 250 Kenyans have gone to fight for Russia in Ukraine, mostly willingly, Kenya's foreign minister says. The disruption in oil supplies has caused shortages and concerns in several African countries. The once close-knit community of Ngogo chimpanzees have been at loggerheads for the last eight years. Manon announced in February she was taking a break from the group, who play Coachella this weekend. The London singer shaped the music for the first two series but has since said he is "done" with it. Astronauts in space have been jamming to Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club, but how does it all happen? Trump has given priority to Afrikaners, a white minority group he says is being persecuted. South Africa has objected to his characterisation.