The National Police Service (NPS) has ordered the immediate arrest of popular Mugithi musician and police officer Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, over alleged desertion of duty.
NPS sources said Samidoh has been absent from his duty post since May 27, 2025, following his redeployment to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil. His failure to report to the new station and continued absence, for over 10 days, has prompted disciplinary action.
Police further indicated that Samidoh’s salary has been suspended, even as he is believed to be in the United States on a musical tour without formal clearance from the service.
A police report signed by the commandant of the ASTU and seen by Kenyans.co.ke confirmed that Samidoh failed to report back to duty on May 27, 2025, after the lapse of his official leave.
“Please be informed that No. 247569/2013040010 APC Samuel Ndirangu Muchoki of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit ‘MTD’ Company is on the above subject. The officer was granted off-duty and was supposed to report back on 27/05/2025, but he failed to do so,” the report reads in part.
“Since then, he has not been seen, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Efforts to trace him have been futile. He has now absented himself without leave for a period of more than 10 days and is hereby declared a deserter with effect from 06/06/2025.”
A spot check on his social media profile by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that the musician had recently posted a cryptic quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, stating, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” The message was shared amid his absence from duty and the controversy surrounding his tribulations.
The directive follows recent controversy during one of his performances, where attendees were captured on video chanting anti-government slogans, an incident that reportedly triggered his abrupt transfer.
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.
According to the National Police Service Act, Chapter 84 (Revised 2014), any officer who fails to report for duty without leave or justification for more than ten days is considered to have deserted the Service.
Specifically, the law states: “A police officer who absents himself from duty without leave or just cause for a period exceeding ten days shall, unless the contrary is proved, be considered to have deserted from the Service.”
Further, Section 94(3) of the same Act provides that, “Any police officer who deserts from the Service commits an offence and is liable on conviction to summary dismissal or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
