NAIROBI — Samuel Muchoki, better known as Samidoh, a popular Kikuyu Benga artist and serving police officer, has been declared a deserter by the National Police Service. Officers have now been ordered to arrest him if found.
A police report seen by Citizen Digital states that Samidoh failed to return to duty on 27 May, after his official leave ended. He is currently attached to the Administration Police’s Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), based in Gilgil.
“Since then, [he] has not been seen, and his whereabouts are not known,” the report reads in part.
Under the National Police Service Act, desertion is a criminal offence. Section 94 states that any officer who fails to report for duty for more than ten days without permission is considered to have deserted. Punishment includes dismissal or up to two years in prison.
Police in Gatumbiro, Nyandarua County—his rural home—have been instructed to arrest him on sight.
Samidoh has not commented publicly on the matter. His phone remains unreachable. Attempts to get a statement from his management were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
A Cop and a Star
Samidoh has long balanced two lives—one as a celebrated singer, the other as a uniformed officer. His music, a mix of traditional Kikuyu sound and modern storytelling, has earned him a loyal fan base both in Kenya and among the diaspora.
But his dual role has not come without controversy.
Just last month, he was reportedly transferred from the Central Region Police Headquarters to ASTU in Gilgil. The reasons for the move remain unclear. However, speaking at a press briefing on 28 May, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja emphasised that officers must follow internal protocols.
“These officers are civil servants,” Kanja said. “They are subject to the same rules, including transfers. If an officer is part of this service, they must adhere to those conditions.”
Politics and Performance
In recent weeks, Samidoh has also been swept up in political drama.
During a live performance on 16 May, he shouted “Wantam,” a slogan linked to opposition protests. The moment quickly spread across social media, drawing both applause and backlash.
Only days later, he appeared at a gathering with other Kikuyu musicians at the home of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. There, his tone shifted. He seemed to support the constitutional two-term presidential limit, a stance interpreted by some as a soft retreat from earlier remarks.
Political analysts have noted that this back-and-forth mirrors the tightrope public figures must walk in Kenya’s charged environment.
“He’s a high-profile artist with a government job,” said Nairobi-based political commentator Janet Mwangi. “That makes his every word, song, and silence carry weight—whether he likes it or not.”
What Comes Next?
With an arrest order now active, questions loom over whether Samidoh will present himself or be picked up. The law is clear, but the situation is complicated by his fame and the public interest surrounding the case.
For now, his fans are left waiting—and so are the police.
