The High Court has today directed popular Mugithi artist and police officer Samuel Muchoki, widely known as Samidoh, to surrender his passport. This order comes in response to serious allegations of desertion of duty raised by the National Police Service (NPS).
In a ruling delivered this Friday, the court also granted Samidoh anticipatory bail set at Ksh200,000 and issued orders barring his immediate arrest. This decision provides a temporary reprieve for the musician, who is currently in the United States, reportedly on a musical tour.
Samidoh’s recent activities abroad have been highly public. He was recently seen performing at the inaugural “Ngemi Cia Ruraya Kikuyu cultural festival” held in Seattle, Washington, an event notably attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas. Samidoh also appeared at another event hosted by Gachagua, where he entertained attendees with several of his popular songs. The artist has since been sharing various photos and videos on his social media platforms, showcasing his performances and time spent with loved ones while abroad.
Allegations of Desertion
The directive from the High Court follows an order issued by the NPS in June this year for Samidoh’s immediate arrest. The police service accused him of deserting his duty post since May 27, 2025, following his redeployment to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil.
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 expiration 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 stated.
It further elaborated on the severity of his absence: “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 requirement to surrender his passport suggests the court’s intention to ensure Samidoh’s return to Kenya to address the desertion allegations and cooperate with disciplinary proceedings once his current engagements in the US conclude.
By Kenyans