Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, popularly known as Matonya, has been charged with one count of rape.
In a statement issued on Friday, April 10, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the 43-year-old artist was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa. He denied the charge.
According to the ODPP, the offence is alleged to have occurred on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, where the musician is accused of committing the act against an adult woman.
Tanzanian Musician Matonya Charged with Rape, Denies Allegations in Mombasa Court. Photo: Courtesy.
During the court proceedings, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose strict bond terms, noting that the accused is a foreign national with no fixed residence in Kenya.
The prosecution argued that such conditions were necessary to ensure he remains within the court’s jurisdiction as the case proceeds.
In its ruling, the court granted Matonya a bond of Ksh 500,000 with one Kenyan surety.
The court further directed him to deposit his Tanzanian passport and barred him from leaving the country without prior approval.
Additionally, immigration authorities were instructed to place an alert at all border points to prevent any attempt by the accused to exit the jurisdiction.
The case is set to proceed as the judicial process continues.
