Kenyan Mugithi artist and police officer Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, has been ordered by the High Court to surrender his passport following allegations of desertion of duty raised by the National Police Service (NPS). The court’s ruling was delivered on Friday, July 25, and also granted Samidoh anticipatory bail of Ksh200,000, while barring his arrest.
The musician is currently in the United States, where he is believed to be on a musical tour. Recently, he was seen performing at the inaugural Ngemi Cia Ruraya Kikuyu cultural festival held in Seattle, Washington. The event was attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas. Samidoh also performed at another Gachagua-hosted event, showcasing some of his popular songs, and has shared photos and videos on social media enjoying his time abroad.
Back in June, the National Police Service ordered Samidoh’s immediate arrest, accusing him of deserting his duty station since May 27, 2025. The police said he had failed to report to his new assignment at the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil after being redeployed. His continued absence for over ten days prompted disciplinary action.
A police report signed by the ASTU commandant confirmed that Samidoh was supposed to report back to duty on May 27, 2025, after his leave but failed to do so. The report stated, “He has not been seen since then, and efforts to trace his whereabouts have been futile. He has now been declared a deserter effective June 6, 2025.”
The arrest order came amid controversy during one of his recent performances, where crowds were recorded chanting anti-government slogans. The chants included the term ‘Wantam,’ widely understood as a call for President William Ruto to serve only one term. The video showed Samidoh encouraging the crowd, which reportedly angered some government officials.
Following the incident, reports indicated that senior officials within the government viewed his actions as a violation of Service Standing Orders (SSO), leading to disciplinary proceedings against him. The situation has sparked a heated debate among his fans and critics alike.
As the legal proceedings continue, Kenyans await to see if Samidoh will actually deposit his passport now that he is on a SU tour.
