Police Order Samidoh's Arrest for Deserting Post, Salary Suspended

• The National Police Service issued an official statement declaring Mugithi singer Samidoh a deserter
• According to the National Police Service Act, desertion from the police force can lead to summary dismissal or imprisonment for up to two years
• Samidoh's local police unit in Gatumbiro has been instructed to arrest him on sight and report back to the authorities

Mugithi singer Samuel Ndirangu Muchoki, better known as Samidoh, is facing arrest after the National Police Service (NPS) declared him a deserter from the force.

According to a police statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, the singer, who serves in the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, failed to report back to duty on May 27 following the lapse of his leave.

Why is Samidoh wanted by police?

The report further indicates that the officer has been absent from duty for over 10 days without approved leave.

"The officer was granted an 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 is not known and efforts to trace him have been futile. He has now absented himself without leave for more than 10 days and he is hereby declared a deserter. Pay section stop his salary with immediate effect," read the statement in part.

Police officers in Gatumbiro, Nyandarua county, where Samidoh hails, have been directed to arrest him on sight.

"Stockpol 'MTD COY, take the necessary action and act accordingly. CRO Nairobi, circulate in the next issue of the national police gazette. Stapol Gatumbiro, kindly visit his home and if traced, arrest him and inform this end for necessary action," it continued.

The statement also outlines Samidoh's home particulars.

Which section of Constitution did Samidoh violate?

As per the National Police Service Act, Chapter 84 (Revised 2014), which provides clear guidelines on desertion, "A police officer who absents themselves from duty without leave or justifiable cause for more than ten days shall, unless proven otherwise, be considered to have deserted from the Service."

Section 94(3) notes that "any police officer who deserts from the Service commits an offence and is liable on conviction to summary dismissal or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years."

Why was Samidoh redeployed?

Samidoh was redeployed following his involvement in a controversial public display.

It was reported that during one of his performances, he participated in the "wantam" chants, a phrase used by critics of President William Ruto to push an anti-reelection narrative ahead of the 2027 elections.

By joining in the chants, Samidoh's actions were deemed to violate the Service Standing Orders (SSO), which require police officers to remain politically neutral.

In response, his seniors at Jogoo House decided to transfer him to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil, Nakuru county, pending further disciplinary measures.

However, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja claimed that his redeployment was due to routine police transfers.

Despite the redeployment, Samidoh posted a cryptic message online as he navigates through the disciplinary process.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke