NAIROBI —
Kenyan Mugithi star and police officer Samuel Muchoki, known to fans as Samidoh, has been spared immediate arrest after the High Court on Friday ordered a halt to police action against him.
The court instead directed the artist to surrender his passport and granted him anticipatory bail of Ksh200,000, shielding him from arrest over allegations of deserting duty.
The ruling comes amid a public row between Samidoh and the National Police Service (NPS), which accuses him of failing to report to his new station since late May. He had been redeployed to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil but, according to police, never turned up.
Still on Stage, Not on Duty
Samidoh is currently in the United States, performing on a music tour. Just days ago, he appeared at the Ngemi Cia Ruraya Kikuyu cultural festival in Seattle, Washington — a high-profile event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas.
He later performed at another function reportedly hosted by Gachagua himself, sharing photos and videos from the tour on his social media accounts. The footage shows the singer entertaining audiences and spending time with family abroad — even as controversy brews at home.
Declared a Deserter
A police report seen by local media and signed by the ASTU commandant accuses the officer-singer of being absent without official leave since 27 May.
“The officer was granted off-duty and was supposed to report back on 27/05/2025, but he failed to do so,” the report states. “Since then, he has not been seen, and efforts to trace him have been futile… He is hereby declared a deserter with effect from 06/06/2025.”
Under Kenyan law, desertion is a serious offence for a police officer and can lead to dismissal or prosecution under disciplinary codes.
Political Undertones in Music
The arrest directive came shortly after a viral performance where Samidoh was seen engaging with a crowd chanting anti-government slogans, particularly the word "Wantam" — a popular call among some opposition supporters suggesting President William Ruto should serve only one term.
In the video, Samidoh is seen energising the crowd as the chants grow louder, a move that, according to sources within the security ranks, was viewed as a breach of police conduct. Officers in service are required to maintain political neutrality under the Service Standing Orders.
Supporters and Legal Fight
The controversy has sparked public debate, with fans divided between support for the singer’s artistic freedom and concern over his obligations as a uniformed officer. Some say he’s being targeted for political reasons, while others argue the law must apply equally to all, regardless of fame.
Samidoh’s legal team is expected to challenge the desertion claim in upcoming proceedings. His next steps — and whether he returns to face the matter or remains abroad — will be closely watched.
For now, though, the court has spoken: no arrests, but no free pass either.
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