Mugithi maestro Samidoh.
Popular Mugithi maestro Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, is now free to concentrate on his music or run for political office.
This is after the leadership of the National Police Service (NPS) accepted his resignation as a police constable, ending a controversial relationship in which Samidoh was facing accusations of deserting duty.
Daily Nation established that Samidoh ceased being a police officer attached to the Administration Police service effective July 20.
“We accepted his resignation letter, and I can tell you he is free to do the things that he wishes and loves,” Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja told Nation on Wednesday.
Before his resignation, Samidoh was under siege from his bosses after a video went viral of the police officer, then based at the Central region police headquarters, singing alongside a charged crowd that chanted ‘wantam.’
‘Wantam’ is the corrupted reference to one-term, a phrase coined by opponents of President William Ruto who have vowed to ensure he loses in his re-election bid.
Following the incident, senior police officers at police headquarters in Jogoo House discussed the concern about the police officer seemingly castigating the government.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta dances with musician Samidoh during Jubilee Party’s National Delegates Conference at Kenyatta International Convention Centre on February 26, 2022.
The police service guidelines bar police officers from engaging in any political activities and require them to remain apolitical and loyal to the government of the day.
A senior officer at the time explained that after the video went viral, some police commanders felt that Samidoh was in contravention of the police service standing orders, popularly known as SSO.
As a disciplinary action, it was resolved that Samidoh be transferred from the Kenya Police (regular police) to the AP Anti-Stock Theft Unit based in Gilgil, according to police insiders.
Desertion
Besides being moved to the Gilgil-based ASTU, Samidoh was expected to face disciplinary investigations on charges of desertion.
Resignation was one of the options that was open to Samidoh when the claims of deserting duty were levelled against him.
Samidoh signalled his resignation last month when he moved to the High Court seeking anticipatory bail to block his arrest or detention over accusations of desertion.
The court granted his application, citing a warrant of arrest that had been issued against him by authorities.
Imminent arrest
Samidoh persuaded the court that the imminent arrest was not arising from lawful police action but from “improper motives linked to his political views and criticism of government, which have been disguised as allegations of desertion.”
Had he not resigned, and the investigations found him culpable, police chiefs had three options: Fining him, issuing him a warning or dismissing him.
Popular mugithi musician Samidoh performs during a past public show.
That outcome of the disciplinary proceedings would have been forwarded to NPS headquarters, where the DIG in-charge of the AP would have forwarded Samidoh’s file to the IG for ratification.
If satisfied with the action taken, the IG would have communicated the findings to the National Police Service Commission.
Read: Samidoh reveals plans to retire from police service, gets bail to block arrest over ‘desertion’
But by resigning, Samidoh has short-circuited that process.
On Wednesday, Nation contacted Samidoh about reports of his resignation. But he neither answered repeated calls nor responded to text messages.
But on May 28, when the Nation reached out to Samidoh about his transfer to ASTU, he responded: “I'm in a place I can’t speak now. I will comment later.” He never did.
Samidoh, who recently returned from a tour of the US, has been challenging allegations that he had deserted duty.
On June 10, during an appearance in court, Samidoh produced an official letter countering claims by NPS that he had deserted duty.
The musician cited a letter signed by Principal Deputy to the IG Mathew Kutoh, granting him authority to leave the country from May 20 to June 9, 2025.
“Travel clearance is hereby granted to the above-named officer to travel to the United States of America for a private visit. The officer will leave the country on May 20, 2025, and return on June 9, 2025,” the letter said in part.
Prior to his transfer over the political sloganeering, Samidoh had been among a group of musicians from Mt Kenya who had visited Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence on May 23.
The musicians faced a backlash from government critics in the region. Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party leader Rigathi Gachagua accused the musicians of betraying the Mount Kenya community.
The former Deputy President urged his supporters to boycott their music and also asked entertainment spots to stop booking performances by the musicians.
Prof Kindiki, however, defended the musicians and stated that the artists had come to seek government support in dismantling exploitative cartels in the creative industry and ensuring fair compensation for their work.
