Popular Mugithi singer Samuel Muchoki, better known as Samidoh, has officially resigned from the National Police Service (NPS), ending his 12-year tenure as a Police Constable.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed the resignation, saying the service had accepted his request. “He is free to pursue whatever he wishes,” Kanja noted.
In his resignation letter, Samidoh cited personal reasons, the main one being his desire to fully focus on his flourishing music career. His exit also effectively halts plans by NPS to charge him with desertion.
Samidoh ceased being a police officer on July 20, having previously served under the Administration Police Service and the AP Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Gilgil. His resignation follows a turbulent period marked by controversy over his marital life, political involvement, and clashes with his superiors.
The singer had earlier faced disciplinary scrutiny after a viral video showed him leading fans in the “wantam” chant, slang for “one-term,” popular among critics of President William Ruto. Senior officers at Jogoo House accused him of breaching standing orders barring political activity, leading to his transfer to Baringo and threatened disciplinary action over alleged desertion.
Instead of reporting to his new post, Samidoh travelled to the United States for a series of performances, prompting NPS to issue a warrant of arrest. He later secured anticipatory bail from the High Court, which protected him from detention.
In court filings, he maintained that the desertion charges were politically motivated, pointing to his clearance letter, signed by Principal Deputy to the IG Mathew Kutoh, authorising his travel abroad from May 20 to June 9.
The saga was further complicated by his association with senior politicians. A May visit by Samidoh and other Mt Kenya musicians to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s Karen residence drew sharp criticism from former DP Rigathi Gachagua, who accused them of betraying their community and even called for a boycott of their music.
Kindiki, however, defended the artists, saying they were advocating for fair pay and reforms in the creative industry.
Samidoh later met Gachagua again in the U.S., before returning home under court protection.
With his resignation now confirmed, the celebrated Mugithi star has closed the chapter on his policing career and is set to concentrate fully on music, where he enjoys massive popularity both locally and abroad.
Written By Rodney Mbua
