By Andrew Kariuki

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, popularly known as Matonya, with one count of rape.

The 43-year-old appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Court, where he denied the charge brought under Section 3(1) as read with Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa County, where the accused is said to have unlawfully committed the act against an adult woman.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose strict bond terms, arguing that the accused is a foreign national without a fixed residence in Kenya. She told the court that stringent conditions were necessary to ensure he remains within the court’s jurisdiction throughout the trial.

The court granted the accused bond of KSh500,000 with one Kenyan surety.

In addition, the court ordered him to surrender his Tanzanian passport and barred him from leaving the country without prior approval. Immigration authorities were also directed to place an alert at all exit points to prevent him from travelling.

The case is expected to proceed as the court sets further directions on the hearing.