Samidoh: The shocking rebellion of a cop turned Mugithi megastar

Despite being the biggest musical heavyweight in the Kikuyu world, Samidoh has now been declared a pariah by his employer, the Kenya Police, and a warrant for his arrest is out after deserting duty and allegedly failing to return to his station in Gilgil.

The self-effacing star, who bestrides the Mugithi universe like a behemoth, got into the government crosshairs after suddenly infusing the anti-establishment sentiments into his live performances, drawn from Rigathi Gachagua's viral political slogans. Samidoh cheekily peppered his performances with these chants, electrifying crowds and rattling the internet.

At first, it may have started like a cheeky gimmick; a sort of harmless on-stage vocal prop to rile up the crowds and tap into a trending sound. But soon, Samidoh appeared to have found the perfect addendum to his concerts, and wholly embraced the potency of the idea.

The slogan that probably irked the authorities the most was 'Wantam' (one term), a now-widely viral chant created by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and which massively galvanised masses in Githurai 45 and led to a dizzying avalanche of TikTok challenges. The chant chides President William Ruto that he will be voted out after his first term.

Around May 16, while at an undisclosed nightclub in Thika, Samidoh would be recorded leading revellers into chanting 'Wantam' - as he conducted the chorale, he spun around animatedly, insolently strumming his guitar and flashing a wry smile to the charged crowd.

Soon after the video ricocheted off the internet, the National Police Service, Samidoh’s employer, moved with speed to tame the superstar and punish him for his apparent - and rather embarrassing - dissent.

Swiftly, the sought-after singer, also a police constable, was transferred from his post at the Central Region Police Headquarters in Nairobi to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil.

The NPS viewed the singer’s actions as a potential breach of regulations that demand political neutrality from its officers.

While the transfer to the ASTU in Gilgil represented the initial disciplinary action, sources suggested that more severe penalties could be considered depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, adding that the penalties could range from a formal warning to demotion or even dismissal from the police force.

Before the official repercussions from his employer, Samidoh had stirred the waters quite a bit by posting a cryptic message to his Facebook page, alluding to the possibilities of a hit job while at the same time thanking God for his immeasurable fortunes.

It read: ''In case I die unexpectedly, or before my time, I want you to know that I have lived a full and good life. Allah gave me an opportunity to travel the world, see nature at its best, meet incredible humans I was fortunate enough to share a moment with them''.

Not too long after being deployed to a harsh working habitat, Samidoh, ever the rebel, would be back at it again, leading yet another late-night revelry into chanting the exasperating 'Wantam' chorus - further compounding his troubles and leaving the internet stunned.

And then, while still entangled in a workplace rigmarole, the self-appointed prince of Mugithi flew abroad for a music tour, as well as a family trip meant to visit his estranged wife, who resides stateside.

While there, a clearly defiant Samidoh carried on with his rebellious shtick - at a London show, he asked a zestful crowd 'Ati Mnasemaje?' to which they unanimously roared: "Wantam!".

In the US, the gimmickry abounded as Samidoh went as far as wearing a white t-shirt emblazoned with Gachagua's freshest slogan, 'Hi Cousins'.

To further buttress his growing notoriety, Samidoh ensured that he wore the matching t-shirt with his US-based sidekick Bernice Saroni as they both shared a collaborative post on Instagram.

Eventually, tired of his messy online antics, his blatant defiance and his endemic absence from work, the National Police Service doubled down on their punishment of their errant son and, in an unprecedented move, declared that they were looking for Samidoh - and intent on arresting him for absconding duty.

A police report seen by Citizen Digital indicates that Samidoh, who is attached to the Administration Police’s Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), failed to resume duty on May 27 following the end of his official leave.

“Since then, CMM has not been seen, and his whereabouts are not known,” reads the report.

According to the report, the officer has been absent from duty for more than ten days without permission or just cause, which has resulted in disciplinary action.

Police officers in Gatumbiro, Nyandarua County - his home village - have been instructed to arrest him on sight if found.

Still, a nonplussed Samidoh appears to be taking it all in his stride as he continues to frolic in the Land of the Free, fraternise with his kinfolk, stage a performance or two, and, as is evident on his Instagram page, pose next to a George Floyd mural in rural America.

Despite dominating the headlines locally, the singer, currently sipping mai tais in Massachusetts, has not bothered to address concerns over his whereabouts, or, at least, explain to his fans, not the least his employer, why he hasn't been at work for the last two weeks.

As the spectacle continues to elecrify fans, many are wondering if the singer, who has made millions in his illustrious career, has finally bid farewell to a career he once loved and if so, what could the authorities do to a man whose social eminence is too high - and a man whose pockets are too deep - to really be bothered.