SEATTLE, U.S. – Mugithi star Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu, popularly known as Samidoh, made a public appearance in the United States during an event hosted by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua — who used the occasion to caution Mt. Kenya musicians against being drawn into political campaigns.
Gachagua, addressing Kenyans living abroad, lauded Samidoh’s artistry and the cultural value of Mt. Kenya music, but warned that artists should resist attempts to use them as political tools amid growing public discontent back home.
“Our great son Samidoh is here with us. We love his music,” Gachagua said. “But recently, some people tried to force musicians to sing for them and deceive Kenyans. That’s not your job. Your work is to entertain us so we can sleep well.”
He urged musicians to stick to their traditional storytelling roots — singing about love, heartbreak, and everyday life — and avoid being co-opted into sanitising unpopular government policies.
“Do you need a musician to tell you that roads are being built? You can see them, or not. So why involve artists in political messaging?” Gachagua posed.
The comments come in the wake of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s recent meeting with Samidoh and other Mt. Kenya artists.
The meeting was described as a courtesy call, with Kindiki commending the musicians for upholding national values through their work.
While Kindiki focused on the economic promise of Kenya’s creative industry, Gachagua drew a clear line between artistic expression and political propaganda, warning that using artists to “whitewash” public frustrations could backfire.
“These musicians sing about love, relationships, and broken marriages. That is a good agenda. Let them stick to that,” Gachagua said, drawing applause from sections of the diaspora audience.
Samidoh, a serving police officer and one of Kenya’s most prominent Mugithi artists, has previously walked a fine line between celebrity and controversy — often making headlines for his personal life and occasional brushes with political figures.
