An Aide-de-Camp is a top military officer who is responsible for a high-ranking officer in the government. Kenyan Presidents have had several ADCs since gaining independence from the British in 1963.

The Aide-de-Camp is a military officer. He/She is expected to ensure high security for the President, aside from symbolizing presidential dignity and honor.

During the presidential swearing-in, Kenyans were treated to a show of military class and honor to the former and incoming Commanders-In-Chief.

When President Kenyatta gave his instruments of power to the incoming President Ruto, his Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant Timothy Lekolool was seen shifting sides toward the incoming president.

He has since stood behind him during all events since the swearing-in ceremony. An ADC is expected to follow the president whenever he is out on official duties.

Let us take a look at all the ADCs Kenyan presidents have worked with:

1. Jomo Kenyatta

The Republic of Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta had three ADCs in his 15-year rule of Kenya.

His ADC was Lt. Col. (Rtd) Samuel Ngure Matu who passed away in July 2022 at the age of 82 years. He was replaced by Major (Rtd.) Marsden Madoka and Major Samuel Macharia

2. Daniel Moi

When Kenyatta succumbed to a heart attack in 1978, late and former President Moi took the reigns of the presidency and he continued with Major Samuel Macharia as his ADC. His 24-year reign had a total of 6 Aides-de-Camp.

Major Macharia was replaced by Major Peter Ngugi Ikenye. After that came Colonel Wilson Boinett.

Boinett later became the DG at the National Security Intelligence Service. He was replaced by Colonel Alexander Sitienei from the Tank Battalion.

He was followed by Lt. Col. Jonathan Rono.

The last ADC in the Moi regime before his retirement in 2002 was Col. Stephen Boiywo.

3. Mwai Kibaki

The late and former president Mwai Kibaki started his tenure as president with a new ADC, Lt. Col. Josiah Mrashui.

He was replaced by Lt. Col. Godfrey King’ang’I who had previously served as an MP for Mbeere-South. After him came Co. Peter Njiru and his last ADC as president were Col. Victor Mburu.

4. Uhuru Kenyatta

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta ascended to power in 2013. During his coronation, he continued with Kibaki’s ADC Col. Victor Mburu.

Col. Mburu was replaced by Lt. Timothy Lekolol of the Kenya Navy. This made the news as the Kenya Navy had never before produced an Aide-de-Camp.

Uhuru broke another record yet again by being the first Kenyan president to have a female ADC. Lt. Col. Rachel Nduta Kamui was the assistant ADC to Lt. Timothy Lekolol. She served in the Kenya Air Force.

Lt. Lekolol was Uhuru’s ADC for a long time and now he has witnessed a change in the presidency. He is now President Ruto’s ADC since September 13^th, 2022.

Other key roles an ADC performs away from the obvious perceived standing behind the President and opening doors when the Head of State travels include

• Detail leader
• Assistant detail leader
• Tactical commander
• Motorcade lead
• Advance lead
• Mobile agent
• Static agent and protective intelligence agent.