Popular Tanzanian Musician Arrested, Charged In Kenya Over Sexual Assault
Tanzanian musician Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, popularly known as Matonya, has been arrested and charged at a Mombasa Court over allegations of sexual assault.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Court on Thursday, April 9, the 43-year-old musician denied the charges levelled against him.
The court heard that the alleged offence occurred on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa County, prompting his immediate arrest by the area police.
During the court proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) told the chief magistrate that the accused is alleged to have unlawfully committed the act against an adult woman.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele urged the court to impose strict bond terms, noting that the accused is a foreign national without a fixed residence in Kenya.
The stringent terms, Ombele argued, were necessary to ensure he remains within the court’s jurisdiction throughout the trial.
Following the submissions, the court granted the accused a bond of Ksh500,000 and ordered him to deposit his Tanzanian passport.
He was also barred from leaving the jurisdiction without prior court approval, with immigration authorities directed to place an alert at border points.
The Bongo Flava musician from Tanzania rose to fame in the late 2000s with romantic and storytelling-style songs that became popular across East Africa.
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One of Matonya’s most famous songs is Vaileti, released in 2009 as part of the album Siamini.
It is a love-theme song which discusses betrayal in relationships.
Matonya’s other popular songs include Kifaranga, Pole Pole, Uaminifu and Niguse, which made him a household name within the region.
However, he is not the first Tanzanian artist to be arrested in Kenya.
In 2022, police officers arrested Rajabu Abdul Kahali, popularly known as Harmonize, in Nairobi after allegedly failing to honour appearances at several city clubs.
Popular Tanzanian Musician Arrested, Charged In Kenya Over Sexual Assault
