TANZANIAN SINGER MATONYA CHARGED WITH RAPE IN MOMBASA

Tanzanian singer Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, widely known as Matonya, has appeared in court to face a rape charge.

The 43-year-old musician denied the accusation at the Shanzu Law Court in Mombasa.  According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the alleged incident took place on April 7, 2026, at an apartment located in Nyali Sub-County within Mombasa County. Prosecutors said the musician is accused of assaulting an adult woman.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele asked the court to set a bond terms. She argued that the accused is a foreign national who does not have a permanent home in Kenya. She said tough conditions were needed to make sure he stays in the country while the case continues.

The court granted Matonya bail set at Ksh. 500,000, along with one Kenyan surety. He was also ordered to surrender his Tanzanian passport and is not allowed to leave the country unless the court gives permission first.

The ODPP added that immigration officials have been instructed to put an alert at all border points.