Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu, known by the stage name Samidoh, has traversed an incredible journey from a life of abject poverty to becoming a multimillionaire, all thanks to his thriving music career. His inspiring success story is a testament to sheer determination, born out of the painful experiences of poverty and the loss of loved ones.
Born in 1990 in Subukia, Nakuru County, Samidoh entered this world as part of a peasant family. His mother found herself raising five boys as a single parent after the untimely death of their father. Tragically, this event marked a dark chapter in their lives, as they were expelled from their property by their father’s extended family. It was his mother’s pension money, received after their father’s passing, that enabled her to purchase land in Oljororok.
Following his father’s demise, life became incredibly challenging for Samidoh and his siblings. He was compelled to leave school when he was only in class seven. In an effort to contribute to the family’s meager income, he became a herder, earning a meager Ksh300 per month.
In his own words, Samidoh recounted this challenging period, saying, “Since we were helpless, he became a herder for six months where I was paid Ksh300.” Fortunately, a friend of Samidoh’s mother recognized his suffering as a herder and took him under her wing. She enrolled him in Kieni Primary School, where he successfully completed his primary education.
However, tragedy struck again as Samidoh lost his mother while he was in form one. Thanks to the generosity of his benefactor, he managed to finish his secondary education, with his benefactor covering his school fees.
Upon completing high school, Samidoh journeyed to Nairobi to join his brother, who was a drummer for the renowned Kikuyu musician Kamande wa Kioi and his music band. Later, he enrolled in Kenya Polytechnic University, where he pursued a course in business information technology.
Samidoh’s musical career began to flourish while he was serving in the Kenyan National Police Service. His breakthrough came with the release of “We Do Wi Cama,” which became the first high-definition video by a Kikuyu benga artist. The song garnered extensive airplay on local media, and Samidoh even had the privilege of performing in countries such as Qatar, Dubai, and the United Kingdom.
Today, Samidoh stands at the pinnacle of his music career, having performed across the globe. In a remarkable highlight, he had the honor of performing for President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference. As of now, Samidoh is among the highest-earning musicians in Kenya, with his wealth stemming from the proceeds of his music career and lucrative endorsements.
