A Tanzanian musician has been arraigned in a Mombasa court over an alleged sexual offence, drawing attention to cross-border legal enforcement within Kenya’s justice system.
Matonya, whose real name is Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, was charged by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with one count of rape.
The 43-year-old artist appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Courts, where he denied the charge.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident took place on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa County.
The court was told that the accused allegedly committed the offence against an adult woman, in contravention of Section 3(1) as read with Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006.
During the proceedings, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose strict bond conditions.
She argued that the accused is a foreign national without a fixed residence in Kenya, raising concerns over the possibility of flight and the need to ensure he remains within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court subsequently granted Matonya bond set at KSh 500,000, with the requirement of one Kenyan surety.
In addition, he was ordered to deposit his Tanzanian passport with the court and barred from leaving the country without prior approval.
Immigration authorities were also directed to place an alert at all border points to prevent any attempt by the accused to exit Kenya during the pendency of the case.
The matter is expected to proceed to hearing as investigations and pre-trial processes continue.