Samidoh Joins Police Brutality Uproar with Powerful Message on Justice and Solidarity

• Samidoh stirred emotions after posting a masked selfie paired with a cryptic liberation message
• His message struck deeper than most, given that the Mugithi star is technically still a police officer, one now facing trouble within the service
• Netizens rallied behind Samidoh after his cryptic post on police brutality protests, with many praising his bold stance

Popular Mugithi singer and police officer Samuel Muchoki, alias Samidoh, has broken his silence amid national outrage following the brutal shooting of a hawker during protests in Nairobi.

What did Samidoh say about hawker shot by police?

The June 17 demonstrations, originally peaceful and driven by calls for justice over the death of X influencer Albert Ojwang in police custody, turned chaotic after goons reportedly infiltrated the crowds.

As tension flared, a chilling video captured a police officer violently assaulting an unarmed hawker before shooting him in the head at close range.

Samidoh, who is currently in the United States, appeared to reference the situation back home in a cryptic but powerful post on social media.

“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us! #VictoryIsCertain," he posted captioning a photo of himself donning a facemask, his face written with emotion.

The statement, though brief, struck a chord with many Kenyans who interpreted it as a veiled show of solidarity with victims of police brutality and a subtle protest against the systemic injustices plaguing the country.

His words carried added weight given his status as a police officer, albeit one facing trouble within the service.

In the recent past, the singer has had his share of friction with authorities, and an arrest warrant was recently issued against him.

This came after he was declared a deserter from the force for being absent past his designated leave days.

The whole saga unfolded following his redeployment to Gilgil, which came after he was allegedly heard chanting 'Wantam', a phrase widely associated with anti-government sentiments.

His post stirred a flood of reactions from netizens, many lauding his courage to speak out despite his own precarious standing with the police force.

See his post below:

Here are some reactions from social media users:

Wá Gakámí Khalifa:

"Even Sammy is fighting for Joshua the Mask 😷 man."

Prissie Momzilla Stesesu:

"We told you hung the boots... Life goes on..uko Na watoto wadogo they need you... Endelea kuimba huko."

Jimmy Waweru:

"He who is brave is free to go."

Man Mwere:

"Heri ivo ulijitoa 😂 your colleagues have become an enermy of every Kenyan."

John Monkeys:

" I feel so good when we speak in togetherness. We need our rights to be respected and honoured. We are the people. Kenya is our land."

Kamau Kirimi:

"There's no freedom without struggle."

Did Rigathi Gachagua advise Samidoh to leave the country?

In May, Samidoh, alongside several other Kikuyu artistes, visited Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's residence in Karen, and it didn't go well with a section of Mount Kenya residents.

The visit saw former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua condemn Samidoh and his counterparts, asking them to apologise. He insisted that failure to do that would trigger a full boycott.

A few days later, Samidoh released a song praising Gachagua, applauding his resilience and courage.

Recently, Gachagua claimed he is the one who advised the Mugithi singer to fly to the US after he was redeployed to Gilgil.

The veteran politician revealed that he had advised Samidoh to quit the police service and focus on his music career because he makes more money in music than in police duties.

Netizens also urged Samidoh to resign from the police service, similarly opining that he earns less there compared to music. The artiste is among the richest Kikuyu artistes and makes close to KSh 1 million in a week whenever he is on a music tour outside the country.

Did Samidoh post portrait of George Floyd?

Not long after an arrest warrant was issued against him, Samidoh posted a photo of himself beside a portrait of George Floyd, a likely reference to the infamous moment a police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck.

In the caption, the Mugithi star quoted Abraham Lincoln on the subject of freedom and rights.

He concluded the post with a hashtag that appeared to speak directly to the unfolding situation around him.

Caren Nyota, HoD Entertainment, added whether Rigathi Gachagua advised Samidoh to leave the country.

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

Source: TUKO.co.ke