The High Court has directed popular Mugithi artist and police officer Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, to surrender his passport following allegations of desertion of duty raised by the National Police Service (NPS).
In a ruling delivered on Friday, July 25, the court also granted Samidoh anticipatory bail set at Ksh200,000 and issued orders barring his arrest.
The decision comes as the musician is currently in the United States, reportedly on a musical tour. He was recently captured performing at the inaugural edition of the Ngemi Cia Ruraya Kikuyu cultural festival held in Seattle, Washington, an event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas.
Samidoh also appeared at another event hosted by Gachagua, where he performed several of his popular songs. The artist has since shared photos and videos on his social media platforms showing him performing and spending time with loved ones abroad.
Back in June this year, NPS had ordered Samidoh’s immediate arrest, accusing him of deserting 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, had prompted disciplinary action.
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 read 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 more than 10 days and is hereby declared a deserter with effect from 06/06/2025.”
The directive to arrest Samidoh came after 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.
