Popular Tanzanian Musician Arrested in Kenya as Court Seizes Passport
Tanzanian Bongo Flava star Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, widely known as Matonya, has been arrested in Kenya and charged over an alleged sexual assault case in Mombasa. The veteran musician appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Courts, where he denied the charge brought against him.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident took place on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa County, leading to his swift arrest by police in the area.
During the court session, prosecutors told the magistrate that Matonya is accused of unlawfully committing the offence against an adult woman. Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele asked the court to impose strict bond terms, arguing that the singer is a foreign national with no permanent residence in Kenya.
The prosecution maintained that tougher conditions were necessary to ensure he remains available for the case and does not leave the country before the trial is concluded.
After considering the submissions from both sides, the court released the musician on a bond of Ksh500,000 with one Kenyan surety. In addition, he was ordered to surrender his Tanzanian passport to the court.
The magistrate further directed that he must not leave the court’s jurisdiction without prior approval, while immigration officials were instructed to place an alert at all border points to prevent any unauthorized travel.
Matonya became one of East Africa’s most recognized Bongo Flava artists in the late 2000s, building a strong fan base through his romantic and storytelling style of music.
His 2009 hit song Vaileti, from the album Siamini, remains one of his most memorable tracks, especially for its emotional message about betrayal and heartbreak in relationships.
Over the years, other songs such as Kifaranga, Pole Pole, Uaminifu, and Niguse further strengthened his name across the region, making him a household figure among music lovers in Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond.
The singer now joins a list of Tanzanian artists who have previously faced legal trouble in Kenya. In 2022, fellow musician Rajabu Abdul Kahali, famously known as Harmonize, was arrested in Nairobi after allegedly failing to honour scheduled appearances at several clubs in the city.
The latest case involving Matonya has once again drawn regional attention, not only because of his celebrity status but also due to the seriousness of the allegations and the court’s decision to restrict his movement as investigations continue.
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