Rigathi Gachagua: I advised Samidoh against reporting to Baringo, it was a set-up

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has weighed in on the recent fallout between Kikuyu musician Samidoh and the National Police Service, disclosing his involvement in advising the singer amid his controversial redeployment.

Speaking during an interview on Kameme TV, Gachagua defended Samidoh's appearance during a meeting with Kindiki in Karen, saying he did not go on his own volition.

“I called Samidoh and talked to him. He had gone to the DP’s Karen residence by virtue of being a police officer. Action had been threatened against him should he have missed,” he said. 

Gachagua went on to claim that Samidoh was being deliberately set up by being transferred to Baringo County, a region frequently troubled by cattle rustling incidents.

“When he (Samidoh) was reassigned to Baringo, he was being set up. His salary is Sh40,000 as a police officer, yet he makes Sh400,000 every weekend. Why not just quit this job? I advised him against it and instead told him to stay abroad. I will meet him later during the Ngemi Cia Ruraya festival in Seattle,” he added.

Gachagua also addressed Kikuyu musicians who had thrown their support behind the government, offering forgiveness while issuing a blunt critique.

“For the Kikuyu musicians, I have forgiven them. I ask the community to forgive them also; they were just being greedy. I ask them to come sing for us, watutoe stress, mambo ya politics wawache,” he said.

His comments come just days after the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) declared Samidoh a deserter.

In a letter dated June 9, 2025, the unit noted that the singer had failed to report back to duty on May 27 after his off-duty days expired. Multiple attempts to trace his whereabouts have reportedly failed.

"Since then, he has not been seen, and his whereabouts are unknown. Efforts to trace him have been futile. He has now absented himself without leave for more than ten days," the ASTU commander stated in the letter. As a result, Samidoh’s salary has been stopped.

However, National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga dismissed the legitimacy of the letter, suggesting it could be fabricated.

“The letter is unofficial. Currently, we cannot rule out things like AI that are used to generate such documents,” said Muchiri.

The controversy follows Samidoh’s recent transfer from Gilgil, Nakuru County to Baringo County—an area known for law enforcement challenges due to frequent livestock theft.

Remaining defiant, Samidoh went on to announce a line up of shows in the United States, much to the excitement of his fans. 

On his official Facebook page, Samidoh shared a proverbial quote that read, “No matter how high an eagle flies in the sky, it will come down to look for food,” which many fans interpreted as a veiled response to the recent controversy.

His U.S. tour is scheduled to begin on June 21 in Houston, Texas, followed by performances in Austin on June 28, Lowell, Massachusetts, on July 4, and Dallas, Texas on July 5.

The tour will wrap up on July 12 in Seattle, Washington, with a special show dubbed Ngemi Cia Ruraya.