Tanzanian Bongo Flava artist Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, known as Matonya, has been released on bail from Shimo la Tewa Prison after more than 20 days in custody over rape allegations. He walked free on Tuesday evening after fulfilling Shanzu Court's conditions. The case is due for mention on April 30.
Matonya was charged on April 9 with rape contrary to law after allegations of the offence on April 7 in a house in Nyali, Mombasa County. He faces an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with an adult. Shanzu Court granted bail of 500,000 shillings but denied the cash option due to his non-Kenyan status.
Conditions required him to surrender his passport and barred him from leaving Kenya without court approval. The court directed immigration to issue a notice preventing his exit from the country.
Rashid Naaman, who tracked the bail process, confirmed the release on Tuesday evening after submitting documents including sealed immigration letters. It took over three weeks to secure a Kenyan surety and complete all procedures.