Benga Musician Samidoh Faces Arrest After Not Showing Up For Work

Kikuyu Benga musician Samuel Ndirangu Muchoki, widely known as Samidoh, is now a wanted man. The National Police Service (NPS) has declared him a deserter, meaning he faces immediate arrest.

According to a police report obtained by Citizen Digital, Samidoh, who is attached to the Administration Police’s Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), failed to report back to duty on May 27 after his official leave ended. The report states, “Since then, CMM has not been seen, and his whereabouts are not known.”

Police officers in Samidoh’s home village of Gatumbiro, Nyandarua County, have reportedly been instructed to arrest him on sight.

Under Kenyan law, desertion from the police service is a serious criminal offense. The National Police Service Act, Chapter 84 (Revised 2014), Section 94(1), stipulates that any police officer who “absents himself from duty without leave or just cause for a period exceeding ten days shall, unless the contrary is proved, be considered to have deserted from the Service.” Furthermore, Section 94(3) warns that a police officer found guilty of desertion “commits an offence and is liable on conviction to summary dismissal or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.”

This development follows recent reports of Samidoh’s transfer from the Central Region Police Headquarters to ASTU in Gilgil. While the specific reasons for this move remain undisclosed, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja addressed the issue in a press briefing on May 28, emphasizing that all police officers are subject to standard administrative procedures and transfers. “These officers are civil servants and are subject to regulations and procedures, including transfers,” Kanja stated. “If an officer is one of us, he can be subjected to those conditions and might be transferred.”

Samidoh, who famously blends his career in music with his role in law enforcement, has recently found himself embroiled in political controversy. On May 16, during a live performance, he notably echoed the opposition’s rallying cry “Wantam,” a move that garnered both praise and criticism online. Just days later, he was seen alongside other Kikuyu artists at the home of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, where he appeared to shift his stance, publicly expressing support for the two-term presidential limit.

The declaration of Samidoh as a deserter adds a new layer to his public profile, raising questions about his future both as a musician and a police officer.