Samidoh Ordered to Surrender Passport to Court, Announces Plan to Quit Police Service

Popular Mugithi musician Samuel Muchoki, widely known as Samidoh, has been granted anticipatory bail of Sh200,000 by the High Court to block his arrest over allegations of deserting duty at the National Police Service.

Justice Diana Kavedza also ordered the artist to deposit his passport with the court as part of the bail conditions.

The court order comes after Samidoh revealed that he has already applied for retirement from the police service, linking the desertion case to his political views on the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The musician, who is attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Police Unit, was accused of deserting duty at his work station in Gilgil, Nakuru County, since May 27, 2025.

Samidoh told the court that he had traveled to the United States with proper authorization from his employer to visit family and attend his child’s graduation.

However, while abroad, he learned that a warrant of arrest had been issued against him by the same National Police Service that had approved his travel.

Upon discovering the warrant, he returned to Kenya on June 17, 2025, formally submitted his retirement request, and was cleared by the NPS before returning to the US.

The musician expressed concerns that his potential arrest was not based on lawful police action but stemmed from improper motives related to his political views and criticism of the government, disguised as desertion allegations.

His legal team argued that the warrant was unjustified and malicious, particularly since his travel had been sanctioned by the same authority now seeking his arrest.

Justice Kavedza, sitting at the High Court in Kibera, acknowledged that there existed a demonstrable and imminent threat to Samidoh’s liberty.

She noted the inconsistency in the National Police Service’s actions, observing that the same authority that approved his travel was now pursuing him for alleged desertion, which raised legitimate concerns about the warrant.

The judge emphasized that Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom and security, including protection from arbitrary arrest.

While the National Police Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions remain free to investigate or charge him for any criminal conduct, they cannot arrest or detain him until further court orders.

Samidoh, who has served as a Police Constable since January 12, 2013, is expected to return to Kenya this weekend.

The case has been scheduled for mention on September 16, 2025, as the musician prepares to transition from his dual career as both a law enforcement officer and one of Kenya’s most celebrated Mugithi artists.