President Uhuru Kenyatta has made history as the first Kenyan Head of State to have an assistant female Aide-de-Camp (ADC): Rachel Nduta Kamui. Lieutenant Colonel Kamui was spotted for the first time at State House, Sagana on Friday.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kenya Music Festival Winners’ State Concert. On duty is the new Assistant ADC, Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Nduta Kamui, from the Kenya Air Force who will be working alongside Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Lekolool,” State House said on Twitter.
On Friday, Kamui was seen behind the President alongside Colonel Timothy Stelu Lekolool, who recently took over from Lt Col Victor Mburu. President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday made history when he appeared in public with a female Aide-de-Camp.
The ADC, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Rachael Nduta Kamui, sat behind a relaxed Head of State during the annual music festivals winners stage concert at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri on Friday.
Lt Col Kamui, who is from the Kenya Air Force, will work alongside Lieutenant Timothy Lekolool.
This is the first time a Kenyan president has a female ADC.
This development, however, comes amid a recent reshuffle in that position over the last year.
On July 18, the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) announced Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Stelu Lekolool as the official ADC.
Leokolool replaced Lt Col. Victor Mburu who had served in that role for 11 months.
Col. Mburu had replaced Col. Peter Njiru who served the Head of State in his first term.
Acting Head of State spokesperson Kanze Dena explained at the time Mburu had gone to pursue further studies.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was also recently spotted with a female ADC.
An ADC is normally expected to stand behind the president at all times, salute at designated moments and is the conduit for gifts and documents to and from the president. The role of an ADC entails guarding the president: it is mostly a ceremonial role, serving as a symbol of dignity for the presidency.
The ADC is a highly-trained, senior military officer, required to be part of the president’s itinerary at all times.