Nyandarua County, Kenya — Known more for his voice than his voice in politics, celebrated Mugithi artist Samuel Muchoki widely known as Samidoh may be tuning up for a different kind of performance. The singer has hinted he could be vying for the Ol Joro Orok parliamentary seat in the 2027 general elections.
His interest in politics has grown slowly but surely, with recent moves pointing towards a potential shift from the stage to the campaign trail.
Samidoh, who has deep roots in Nyandarua, has for years been involved in community aid from food donations to emergency support for families in crisis. Local residents say he’s been a familiar face during tough times.
“He’s not just a singer to us,” said Margaret Wanjiku, a resident of Ol Joro Orok. “We’ve seen him show up when floods hit, when food was scarce. That kind of consistency means a lot here.”
A recent video showing Samidoh and his wife, Edday Nderitu, visiting families affected by hippo invasions yes, real hippos gained traction on social media. Many saw the gesture as more than goodwill; they saw the early signs of a campaign.
“If you’re going to run, this is how you start,” said political commentator Brian Muriithi. “Be seen. Be relatable. Show up where government help falls short.”
The clearest signal yet came when Samidoh began posting on social media with the hashtag #Oljoro_Orok001, sparking a flurry of speculation. During a recent Instagram Live with nominated Senator Karen Nyamu who is also the mother of his child and Nairobi businessman Kelvin Shaban, Samidoh entertained over 2,600 viewers with a teasing comment.
“If all of you vote for me,” he said with a laugh, “then I’ll definitely run for the Ol Joro Orok seat.”
The offhand remark quickly lit up social media, with fans divided between excitement and scepticism.
Still, the rumours gained further ground after Samidoh was spotted meeting with former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who has already declared an interest in the 2027 presidential race.
Though Samidoh hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, political watchers are reading between the lines. Some speculate he could join the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a party that’s been quietly courting youth and fresh faces.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise,” said Mercy Kamau, a political science lecturer at Egerton University. “The trend of celebrities joining politics is global. And in Kenya, name recognition counts.”
Not everyone is convinced, though. Critics argue that charm and fame aren’t enough to address the region’s pressing issues from poor roads to youth unemployment.
“Leadership isn’t a performance,” said Nyandarua resident James Karanja. “It’s hard work, it’s policies, it’s action.”
Whether Samidoh’s campaign will become official or fizzle out remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the 2027 race for Ol Joro Orok just got a lot more interesting.