Mombasa, Kenya — Tanzanian musician Matonya, whose real name is Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, has been charged with one count of rape before a Mombasa court.
The 43-year-old artist appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Court, where he denied the charge brought under Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the alleged offence occurred on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County within Mombasa County. Prosecutors told the court that the musician is accused of committing the act against an adult woman.
During the proceedings, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose strict bond terms, citing concerns that the accused is a foreign national without a fixed residence in Kenya and could pose a flight risk.
The court granted Matonya bond of Ksh 500,000 with one Kenyan surety. As part of the conditions, he was ordered to surrender his Tanzanian passport and barred from leaving Kenya without prior court approval. Immigration authorities were also directed to place alerts at border points to prevent any unauthorized travel.
The case is expected to proceed to hearing as investigations continue.
