Samidoh's 'wantam' song lands him in police crosshairs

Samuel Muchoki -Samidoh during a live performance at Grill Park in Nakuru [Harun Wathari, Standard]

Popular Mugithi artist and police officer Samuel Muchoki, famously known as Samidoh, is facing a turbulent time in what is seen as disciplinary action from the National Police Service after a live performance of the 'Wantam' song went viral, sparking political uproar.

Samidoh was transferred from his post at the Central Region Police Headquarters in Nairobi to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil seven months ago.

Although no formal reason was issued, sources within the police service suggest the transfer was part of punitive measures linked to the performance.

Reliable sources indicated that Samidoh is deployed and is headed to the war-torn region of Baringo in the Rift Valley.

"He is in Gilgil today as he awais further deployment. He is supposed to report to Baringo today," said the source who did not wish to be identified.

The reassignment is widely seen as a demotion, given the instructions for him to report to Baringo County, a region often associated with insecurity and unrest.

The redeployment came on May 18, two days after footage of his performance at a city entertainment joint circulated widely on social media.

In the clip, the crowd is seen chanting "wantam," a slang distortion of 'one term,' a phrase now adopted by critics of President William Ruto as a rallying cry ahead of the 2027 polls.

Last week, Samidoh was among several musicians who visited DP Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence, a meeting that stoked curiosity about his situation.

Despite the speculation, Samidoh downplayed suggestions that his music landed him in trouble. "I'm not sure about my next role, but normally, police officers are transferred to serve anywhere as long as it's within the borders of this country. I wouldn't say there is any basis," he said.

IG Douglas Kanja and ASTU Commander Joseph Limo when reached for a comment about the Samidoh redeployment, ASTU commander Joseph Limo asked our reporter why he wanted to know.
He went ahead to ask whether the reporter was a police officer and when answered to the negative he said he should not be asked such a question before hanging up.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said that the deployment of Samidoh was normal within the service.
"The musician is a civil servant and he has to comply with the procedures like getting a transfer," said Kanja while addressing the press yesterday at Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters.