KENYA: Keen observers during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration at Kasarani last week, must have noticed immediately President Kibaki handed over the ‘sword of power’ to Uhuru, the uniformed Aide-de-Camp behind Kibaki immediately shifted to Uhuru’s side.
President Uhuru Kenyatta
But what exactly is the role of this man who stands studiously behind the President in public?
As President Uhuru settles as Kenya’s fourth President we focus on the role the Aide-de-Camps (ADCs) and who has been there post-Jomo Kenyatta.
The ADC precedes the President out of State House to the awaiting vehicle, opens the rear passenger-side door (as the chauffeur will be at the wheel), and stands at attention and salutes while the President sits down. The ADC closes the door and rides in the front passenger seat, unless otherwise directed by the President. He is also the man who carries the President’s personal items such as speeches.
He will also be at hand to receive from the President any gift or item that may have been handed to the Head of State.
Although the ADC does not play an overly critical role in as far as being behind the President is concerned, they face serious challenges while on duty.
The ADC must maintain or embrace a strict dietary discipline. For instance, what would happen if the ADC who always rides in the same limousine with President, tells the driver he wants to go for short call?
Will the driver stop knowing he is ferrying the President or will he continue with his journey? Secondly, the ADC must be young and physically fit to withstand long hours of standing and walking around the President.
Thirdly and most critical, the ADC must get along with the Escort Commander because the two officers must work closely as the President’s immediate personal staff.
However, the ADC’s job is largely ceremonial – they don’t have a department or staff under them.
In Tanzania, they are referred to as pambo ya rais – the President’s decoration.
“He is not a security officer, but is there to give the President the dignity and honour that goes with the high office,” a source said.
They are more visible during public events, but they retire to their residences once the President takes as break.
When Moi took power in 1978 his ADC was Major Macharia – a carry-over from Jomo Kenyatta. Macharia was to be replaced by Major Peter Ngugi Ikenye who was followed by Colonel Wilson Boinett, who later rose to become the Director-General of the National Security Intelligence Service.
After Boinett came Colonel Alexander Sitienei then Lt-Col Jonathan Rono (currently a Maj-Gen in charge of Eastern Command).
Moi retired with Col Stephen Boiywo on tow. Boiywo was later to leave and was assigned other duties as commander of the Kenya Armed Forces that ended the Sabaot Land Defence Forces menace in Mt Elgon.
Currently, Moi has Lt-Col Alexander Kiprop from the Tank Battalion as his ADC. Former President Kibaki started off with Lt-Col J Mrashui – a career engineer officer followed by Lt-Col Godfrey King’angi. King’angi resigned to contest the Mbeere South parliamentary seat, but lost. He was replaced by Col Peter Njiru who crossed over to Uhuru moments after his swearing-in on April 9.
President Uhuru has an option of retaining Col Njiru or picking a new ADC.
By Ben Agina, The Standard
