Mugithi star and police officer Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, has secured a major reprieve after the High Court blocked his arrest over allegations of deserting his police duties.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, July 25, the court granted Samidoh anticipatory bail of Ksh200,000, shielding him from immediate arrest by the National Police Service (NPS). The court also directed the musician to deposit his passport as part of the bail conditions.
A review of his social media pages shows that Samidoh is expected back in the country for scheduled performances, including one slated for Saturday, July 26.
This development follows reports that Samidoh, a police constable attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, was being pursued by police for allegedly failing to return to duty after taking leave.
In a police signal issued earlier in June, NPS stated that the officer had been granted off-duty but failed to report back to his station in Gilgil on May 27, 2025. Since then, authorities said, his whereabouts had remained unknown.
“Please be informed that No. 247569/2013040010 APC Samuel Ndirangu Muchoki of 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. Since then, he has not been seen, and his whereabouts are not known. Efforts to trace him have been futile,” the signal read in part.
NPS declared Samidoh a deserter as of June 6, 2025, and instructed that his salary be stopped with immediate effect. The service also directed police officers in Gatumbiro, Nyandarua County, to trace and arrest him at his rural home.
“He has now absented himself without leave for a period of more than 10 days and is hereby declared a deserter W.E.F. 06/06/2025. Pay section: stop his salary with immediate effect. Stockpol ‘MTD’ COV take necessary action and act accordingly. CRO Nairobi will circulate in the next issue of the National Police Gazette. Stapol Gatumbiro: kindly visit his home and if traced, arrest him,” the notice added.
However, a travel clearance letter from the Office of the Inspector General, dated April 22, 2025, contradicted the desertion claims. The letter, addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, confirmed that Samidoh had been officially cleared to travel to the United States for a private visit.
“Travel clearance is hereby granted to the above-named officer to travel to the United States of America for a private visit,” the document reads.
The High Court’s decision now sets the stage for a legal battle over the legitimacy of the desertion claims, even as Samidoh resumes his musical engagements locally.
