Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, popularly known as Matonya, has been charged with rape in a case being heard in Mombasa.
The 43-year-old appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Court, where he denied the charge.
The case was brought under Section 3(1) as read with Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the court heard that the alleged offence took place on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County within Mombasa County.
The prosecution told the court that the accused is alleged to have unlawfully committed the act against an adult woman.
During the proceedings, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele asked the court to impose strict bond terms. She argued that the accused is a foreign national and does not have a fixed residence in Kenya, which could make it difficult to ensure his attendance in court.
The prosecution maintained that firm conditions were necessary to ensure that the accused remains within the court’s jurisdiction as the case continues.
The court considered the request before making its ruling on the bond terms.In its decision, the court granted the accused a bond of Ksh.500,000 with one Kenyan surety. In addition to the bond, the court directed that the accused deposit his Tanzanian passport in court.
He was also barred from leaving the country without prior approval from the court.
Further measures were put in place to strengthen compliance with the court’s orders.
“Additionally, immigration authorities were directed to place an alert at border points,” said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The case is expected to proceed in court as investigations and hearings continue, with both the prosecution and the defence set to present their arguments in the coming sessions.
