Premium

What it takes to be an Aide-de-Camp in Kenya

President Uhuru's aide-de-camp during the official opening of the Catholic Schools Principals Forum at Catholic University on August 15, 2018. [File, Standard]

How an Aide-de-Camp is picked

A president has the liberty to choose his or her Aide-de-Camp.

The serviceperson has to be a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Contrary to popular belief, the Aide-de-Camp is not a bodyguard or personal assistant to the Head of State.

Colonel Esther Wanjiku, the spokesperson of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), says the Aide-De-Camp is "a principal military officer serving the president".

"The Aide-de-Camp's roles include managing the president's diary and liaising with his or her main security team," Wanjiku told The Standard.

"The Defence Council can propose an Aide-de-Camp to the president, who has the last say on his preferred serviceman for the role," she added.

When foreign presidents visit Kenya, the KDF proposes servicepersons who would serve as Aides-De-Camp to the leaders.

The Kenyan Aides-De-Camp would work closely with the visiting Heads of State's military team.

President William Ruto's ADC, Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga. [Standard]

President Ruto's Aide-De-Camp

Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga of the Kenya Army has succeeded Timothy Lekolool as President William Ruto's Aide-de-Camp.

Brigadier Lekolool, who previously served as President Uhuru Kenyatta's Aide-de-Camp between July 2018 and September 2022, has now been deployed to the Department of Defence (DoD) Headquarters in Nairobi.

Emmanuel Tallam, President Ruto's senior communications aide, said the new Aide-de-Camp will be assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Damaris Agnetta, also from the Kenya Army.

Agnetta takes over from Lieutenant-Colonel Rachel Nduta of the Kenya Air Force, who has been promoted to the rank of Colonel, and deployed to the Department of Defence Headquarters.

Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga, the new ADC, joined the army in 1999. He has served as senior special forces branch commander.

The second ADC, Damaris Agnetta, was commissioned in 2003, and has been serving as the artillery officer. She has also served in the United Nations Military Observer Mission.

Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga's first assignment was on Tuesday, October 4, when he accompanied President William Ruto to Mathira, Nyeri County for the burial of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's elder brother Jack Reriani.

Kenyan Aides De Camp

Timothy Stelu Lekolool is one such man who has served as ADC to both Kenya's fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta and the fifth president, William Ruto.

Until Tuesday, September 13 2022, he stood behind President Uhuru Kenyatta during public appearances.

He was always ready to protect and ensure the president was comfortable - while standing or seated.

Social media users and observers say Lekolool did his job well.

That service to Kenyatta ended at 1:09pm on Tuesday, when Dr Ruto formally took the reins of Kenya's leadership.

Immediately after Ruto received the ceremonial military sword from Kenyatta, Lekolool switched position and stood behind the new Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

That movement was beamed live to millions of viewers across the globe.

That moment was reminiscent of April 9, 2013, when Lieutenant-General Peter Njiru of the Kenya Army, took his position behind President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had been sworn into office to succeed Mwai Kibaki.

At the time, Njiru had the Colonel military rank. Due to his good service to Kenyatta and the disciplined forces, the former president, in July 2022, promoted him to the rank of Commander of the Kenya Army.

Kenya's first president Jomo Kenyatta's Aide De Camp was Major Marsden Madoka, who later served as Mwatate MP.

When Daniel Moi ascended to presidency in 1978 following Jomo's death, he inherited Major Macharia as Aide De Camp.

Macharia was later replaced by Major Peter Ngugi Ikenye, who was succeeded by Colonel Wilson Boinett.

Boinett, subsequently, rose to the position of Director-General of the National Security Intelligence Service.

After Boinett, came Colonel Alexander Sitienei, and then Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Rono.

Rono is currently the Major-General in charge of Eastern Command.

When Daniel Moi was retiring in December 2002, Stephen Boiywo was his Aide de Camp.

Boiywo was later appointed as a Commander of the Kenya Armed Forces. He was credited for ending the Sabaot Land Defence Forces menace in Mt. Elgon.

Moi's successor, Kibaki, started off with Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Mrashui, a career engineer.

Mrashui was followed by Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey King'angi.

Colonel Peter Njiru, Kibaki's last Aide De Camp while in office, succeeded King'ang'i.