Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani, popularly known as Matonya, has been charged with rape in Kenya.
The 43-year-old denied the charge when he appeared before a court in Mombasa, according to a statement by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The court granted him bail of 500,000 Kenyan shillings ($3,900; £2,900) and ordered him to surrender his Tanzanian passport.
Prosecutors allege the incident took place on Tuesday at an apartment in Nyali, a coastal beach resort area.
The DPP said immigration authorities had been instructed to place an alert at border points to ensure he remains within the court’s jurisdiction.
Matonya is a well-known figure in Tanzania’s “bongo flava” music scene, a genre that blends Swahili lyrics with urban beats and coastal influences.
He rose to prominence about 15 years ago and continues to perform across East Africa.
Authorities in Tanzania have not commented on the case.
The allegations have sparked debate on social media and within the music industry, with some calling for due process while others emphasise the seriousness of the claims.
