Samuel Muchoki, better known as Samidoh, is no stranger to the spotlight. But his latest headline has little to do with music and everything to do with murmurs inside the police force.
The popular mugithi singer, who also serves as a police officer, posted a cryptic message on social media Thursday morning—his first public reaction to reports that he’s being transferred to Baringo.
“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty,” the post read, quoting Thomas Jefferson. He shared it alongside a photo of himself standing next to a UK police vehicle, dressed casually in a tracksuit.
The timing of the message is no accident.
Rumours of Samidoh’s transfer have been swirling since mid-May. They followed a viral video of the singer performing live as the crowd chanted “wantam,” a phrase widely associated with opposition protests against President William Ruto.
While Samidoh didn’t lead the chants, the clip spread fast. Critics claimed it undermined his role as a public servant. Supporters, on the other hand, saw no fault.
“It was just fans expressing themselves,” said James Mwangi, a local promoter in Nairobi. “You can’t blame the artist for what the crowd says.”
Disciplinary Action or Routine Move?
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja was asked directly about the case. He didn’t mention Samidoh by name, but said the force was simply following its standard procedures.
“Police officers are civil servants. Transfers happen according to regulations,” said Kanja. “If the officer you are referring to is part of the service, he is subject to those conditions.”
The singer is said to have been moved from Central Region police headquarters to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Gilgil. Now, reports suggest a further move to Baringo may be underway.
The police have not officially confirmed this, and Samidoh himself has remained tight-lipped—apart from Thursday’s carefully worded post.
A Divided Public
Reactions to the situation have been mixed. Some Kenyans feel the transfer is politically motivated. Others argue it’s a distraction from more pressing issues in the force.
“Samidoh is not just a cop; he’s a cultural icon,” said Njoki Kimani, a university lecturer in Nairobi. “If this is a punishment, it raises questions about freedom of expression—even for public servants.”
Still, some within the police circles see it differently.
“There are rules. Whether famous or not, no one is above them,” a senior officer told this reporter, asking to remain anonymous.
The Road Ahead
It’s unclear what lies ahead for Samidoh, both in uniform and on stage. What’s certain is that he remains under the public microscope—where music, politics, and duty continue to collide.
For now, he lets the Jefferson quote speak for him. Whether that message is defiance, disappointment or something else altogether—only time will tell.
