- Kikuyu musician and police officer Samidoh granted anticipatory bail of Ksh200,000.
- High Court bars police from arresting him over desertion claims.
- Samidoh says he had officially applied for retirement and travelled with NPS approval.
- The court orders him to surrender his passport but allows investigations to proceed.
- Claims his arrest was politically motivated and not based on desertion.
Popular Kikuyu artist and police constable Samuel Ndirangu Muchoki, famously known as Samidoh, has secured court protection from arrest over accusations of deserting duty.
The High Court sitting in Kibera, through Justice Diana Kavedza, ordered that Samidoh should not be arrested while investigations are ongoing. The ruling, made on July 25, directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to respect the musician’s constitutional rights.
The judge pointed to Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution, which safeguards every individual from unlawful arrest, even if they serve in government.
As part of the bail terms, Samidoh is required to hand over his passport to the court.
Justice Kavedza stressed that although police are free to probe or charge Samidoh if evidence emerges, the law must be followed. Any future court appearance must be communicated in advance without forceful arrest or detention.
In his court filing, Samidoh revealed he has been with the National Police Service since January 2013. He says he travelled to the U.S. to attend his child’s graduation after getting official permission.
On returning to Kenya on June 17, 2025, he applied for retirement under the 10–22 Rule as per the NPS Act. He then flew back to the U.S., only to learn of a warrant accusing him of desertion.
Samidoh believes the warrant was unnecessary and was done in bad faith. He says it was meant to punish him for his political views and government criticism.
He described the police actions as harassment, denying any wrongdoing. He assured the court he was ready to comply with all legal requirements.
Justice Kavedza concluded that Samidoh’s freedom was under threat, and so anticipatory bail was appropriate. The court made it clear that any restriction of liberty must be based on law and due process.
For now, the singer remains free, shielded by court orders against what he sees as a misuse of power.
