Veteran Bongo Flava musician Matonya has returned to Tanzania after a court in Mombasa dismissed the rape charges that had been brought against him.
Matonya had been living in Mombasa before his arrest in April this year. He spent more than two weeks in custody before being released on bond as the case proceeded.
Speaking after returning to Tanzania, the singer claimed the case had been fabricated, saying that the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa dismissed the charges due to insufficient evidence.
“The Kenyan courts have now officially granted me my freedom so that I can continue with my work. I have a lot to say about what really happened, but people say that when you are extremely happy or extremely angry, you should be careful with your words. The joy I feel right now could make me say things I might later regret, so all I can say is Alhamdulillah,” Matonya said.
Asked why the charges had been dropped, the musician maintained that the case lacked merit.
“I don’t know how the case came about or how it was put together until it reached me where I was, but I have forgiven everyone involved. Despite everything, I am not prepared to lose the love and support I have built with my Kenyan fans over the past 19 years because of the actions of a few individuals,” he added.
Matonya had been arrested following allegations that he raped one of his female friends in the Nyali area of Mombasa in early April. However, the court dismissed the case after finding that there was insufficient evidence to sustain the prosecution.
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