Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 312
- 82
Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani, better known by his stage name Matonya, has been detained in Kenya after being accused of rape.
According to a statement released on X by Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the 43-year-old disputed the charge when he appeared in court in the seaside city of Mombasa.
According to the DPP the court ordered him to give up his Tanzanian passport and granted him bail, which was set at 500,000 Kenyan shillings ($3,900, £2,900).
The renowned musician is adored for his "bongo flava" tunes. This Tanzanian musical genre, which has Swahili lyrics and love melodies with an urban tempo, is frequently influenced by traditional East African coastal taarab music.
About 15 years ago, Matonya became well-known and continues to perform throughout East Africa, particularly with his favourites, Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu, and Mapito.
Prosecutors stated at the Thursday court hearing that the alleged sexual assault occurred on Tuesday at a flat in Nyali, a seaside resort.
The DPP stated that the immigration authorities had been instructed to post an alert at border points and expressed concern that the musician continued to be under the court's jurisdiction.
Tanzanian authorities have not addressed the case.
According to a statement released on X by Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the 43-year-old disputed the charge when he appeared in court in the seaside city of Mombasa.
According to the DPP the court ordered him to give up his Tanzanian passport and granted him bail, which was set at 500,000 Kenyan shillings ($3,900, £2,900).
The renowned musician is adored for his "bongo flava" tunes. This Tanzanian musical genre, which has Swahili lyrics and love melodies with an urban tempo, is frequently influenced by traditional East African coastal taarab music.
About 15 years ago, Matonya became well-known and continues to perform throughout East Africa, particularly with his favourites, Vaileti, Anita, Siamini, Taxi Bubu, and Mapito.
Prosecutors stated at the Thursday court hearing that the alleged sexual assault occurred on Tuesday at a flat in Nyali, a seaside resort.
The DPP stated that the immigration authorities had been instructed to post an alert at border points and expressed concern that the musician continued to be under the court's jurisdiction.
Tanzanian authorities have not addressed the case.
