Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has addressed the transfer of police officers to dispel speculation surrounding the sudden transfer of popular Mugithi singer Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu, known to many as Samidoh.
Kanja, while addressing the media on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 28, was put to the task on the circumstances that led to transfers of police officers to other regions and whether the Mugithi singer was indeed transferred.
Without mentioning Samidoh directly, Kanja insisted that any transfer of a police officer was simply a question of standard procedure and nothing else.
“These officers are civil servants and are subject to regulations and procedures, including transfers," Kanja affirmed.
This is despite reports that the police officer and popular Mt Kenya musician was booted from the central region police headquarters to the Administration Police’s Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil.
Samidoh's troubles started on May 16, when a video of the Mugithi maestro's performance at an entertainment joint went viral. In the video, revellers were chanting slogans perceived to be anti-government.
In the video, the term 'Wantam', which is widely understood to be a call to ensure President William Ruto only serves for one term, was heavily chanted. Amid the chants, Samidoh could be seen energising the crowd further.
Since the incident, reports were rife that senior commanders within the government saw the singer's actions as a violation of the Service Standing Orders (SSO), prompting disciplinary proceedings against him.
On Tuesday, May 27, reports circulated that Samidoh had been transferred, with media quoting unnamed senior police officers at Jogoo House. The transfer is said to have taken place on Monday, despite Samidoh meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Friday, an occurrence that did not sit well with his fans and the opposition led by Rigathi Gachagua.
But amid speculation about his transfer and the motives behind it, IG Kanja played down speculation surrounding the move, saying that any officer attached to the National Police Service (NPS) can be subjected to a transfer at any time and staff movements are normally done to address operational needs.
"If an officer is one of us, he can be subjected to those conditions (regulations and procedures) and might be transferred," Kanja added.
As far as the political divide is concerned, Samidoh courted controversies on both sides, particularly after his recent visit to Kindiki's Karen residence.
Former Deputy President Gachagua compounded the singer's woes on Sunday by demanding an apology from all musicians who visited Kindiki or face a boycott of their music.
One of Samidoh's latest posts on social media to address his critics was a subtle one, as he simply stated, "In a war of egos, the loser wins."
