Mugithi star Samuel Muchoki aka Samidoh made a sensational return to the country over the weekend—and wasted no time reigniting political flames that have long surrounded his turbulent career.
The embattled musician, who also serves as a police officer, arrived back from the United States after an extended stay that insiders say doubled as both a musical tour and a cooling-off period from escalating tensions with the National Police Service (NPS).
But any hope of a low-key homecoming was quickly dashed.
Instead, Samidoh received a hero’s welcome at a packed Nairobi club on Saturday night, where he delivered a pulsating performance—and then shocked the crowd by leading anti-government chants that sent social media into overdrive.
In now-viral videos from the night, the star is seen altering the lyrics of his popular track “Kirinyaga ya Itungati” to praise former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a known rival of President William Ruto.
“Hii Kenya si ya mtu. Mmeshindwa na muwachane na Gachagua,” Samidoh bellowed from the stage, drawing wild cheers. Translated: “This Kenya doesn’t belong to one person. You’ve failed, so stop attacking Gachagua.”
The musician-turned-political firebrand then cheekily added, “You people keep saying ‘Wantam’… do you know I have small kids? Harambeee!”—referencing the now-infamous slogan mocking the ruling regime’s perceived extravagance and detachment from ordinary Kenyans.
Samidoh’s provocative show marked more than just a musical comeback. It was a bold political statement from a man who appears to have one foot out the police door.
Sources close to the singer say he’s currently pursuing legal channels to block disciplinary action from the NPS, who reportedly branded him a “deserter” after he remained abroad far longer than authorized.
The controversy follows a previous run-in with authorities, where Samidoh faced a punitive transfer to the Gilgil Anti-Stock Theft Unit after similar political chants landed him in hot water. His actions have raised eyebrows among law enforcement officials who view him as a liability—and a symbol of divided loyalty.
It was former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who added fuel to the fire weeks earlier during a radio interview.
He publicly encouraged Samidoh to resign from his police duties, questioning why a man who earns over Ksh1.6 million a month from music should risk his life for a Ksh40,000 government paycheck.
Samidoh, it seems, has taken those words to heart—and turned them into protest lyrics.
As clips of his performance spread online, Kenyans were divided. Some hailed the singer as a “voice for the people”, while others questioned the propriety of a serving officer using his platform for political agitation.
But if one thing is clear, it’s this: Samidoh is done playing it safe.
His music, his message, and his bold return signal a new chapter—not just in his career, but potentially in the high-stakes world of Kenyan politics.
