Tanzanian musician, Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, popularly known as Matonya, has been charged with a sexual offence in a Mombasa court.
The 43-year-old artist appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Courts, where he denied a charge of rape brought against him by the prosecution.
Details of the Alleged Offence
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident occurred on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, within Mombasa County.
The court heard that the accused is alleged to have unlawfully committed the act against an adult woman.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose stringent bond conditions, citing concerns over the accused’s status as a foreign national without a fixed residence in Kenya.
The prosecution argued that strict measures were necessary to ensure the accused remains within the court’s jurisdiction throughout the trial process.
Court Imposes Bond and Travel Restrictions
In its ruling, the court granted Matonya a bond of Ksh 500,000 with one Kenyan surety.
Additionally, the court ordered the accused to surrender his Tanzanian passport and barred him from leaving the country without prior court approval.
Immigration authorities were also directed to place an alert at all border points to prevent any unauthorized exit.
The case is expected to proceed to hearing as investigations and court processes continue. The accused remains out on bond pending further directions from the court.
About the Author
