Singer Samidoh Muchoki has officially declared his intention to contest the Ol Joro Orok parliamentary seat, saying his decision is driven by a desire to move from speaking about change through music to participating directly in governance.
In a statement addressed to residents of Nyandarua County, Samidoh described Ol Joro Orok as his home and said his personal journey had shaped his desire to serve the constituency.
“I am humbled to offer my candidature for the position of Member of Parliament for Ol Joro Orok Constituency. I am a son of Ol Joro Orok. This is home. This is where my journey began,” he said.
Samidoh said he was orphaned at a young age and had to overcome significant challenges before building a career in the Kenya Police Service and later in the music industry.
“My story is not one of privilege. I was orphaned at a young age, and like many children who grow up facing difficult circumstances, I had every reason to give up. But I did not,” he said.
He said his career in music gave him an opportunity to travel across Kenya and internationally, exposing him to different communities, institutions and opportunities.
However, he insisted that his political ambitions were not based on his celebrity status.
“I am not offering myself for this position because I am a musician. I am not offering myself because I am famous or because my name is known across the country,” Samidoh said.
He said his experiences had convinced him that speaking about change was no longer enough and that he needed to seek a direct role in decision-making.
“There comes a time when speaking about change is not enough. There comes a time when one must seek the opportunity to participate directly in the institutions where decisions are made, laws are enacted and national resources and policies are shaped,” he said.
Samidoh also referred to his experience with the music project One Term, which he said allowed him to raise questions about leadership and accountability.
He claimed that attempts to silence him strengthened his conviction that citizens should be free to scrutinise their leaders.
He said Parliament should serve as an institution where citizens' concerns are represented and government is held accountable.
Education emerged as a central pillar of his proposed agenda, with Samidoh pledging to pursue measures aimed at reducing the financial burden on families, particularly those with children in day schools.
“I dream of an Ol Joro Orok where no child stays at home on a school day because a family cannot meet school-related costs,” he said.
He also proposed greater support for vocational and technical education, arguing that young people need practical skills that can translate into employment and entrepreneurship.
“A certificate is valuable, but it must ultimately create an opportunity to earn a living,” Samidoh said, adding that he wants to expand access to short, practical courses and support young people pursuing vocational training.
Beyond education, he said his agenda would focus on agriculture, small businesses, talent development, infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
“Development must not remain an abstract political word. It must be visible in roads, education, water, markets, economic opportunities and the quality of life experienced by ordinary families,” he said.
Samidoh also pledged to promote unity and inclusive leadership, saying public office should be viewed as a responsibility to citizens rather than personal ownership.
“It is about listening. It is about respecting different opinions. It is about bringing people together around common interests even when they disagree politically,” he said.
He acknowledged that he did not have all the answers but said his life experiences had prepared him for public service.
“I offer myself with humility, with gratitude for where I have come from, and with a deep sense of responsibility for where we can go,” he said.
Samidoh concluded by urging residents to support his campaign as he seeks to secure the seat in the next election.
“Stand with me and help campaign tirelessly until we claim this seat,” he said.