Uhuru Appoints Bodyguard From the Kenya Navy for the First Time in History

Uhuru Appoints Bodyguard From the Kenya Navy for the First Time in History

An announcement made by the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) on 17^th July has made headlines as President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed his new Aide-de-camp from the Kenya Navy. Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Stelu Lekolool, the country’s 11^th Aide-de-camp, is the only official in this capacity to be appointed from the naval forces since independence. This aside, the appointment is also making history as Stelu replaces Victor Mburu who was only recently appointed in August 2017. This makes Mburu’s term as Aide-de-camp the shortest in the country’s history.

Apart from being in the naval forces, Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Stelu Lekolool is also known as being the son of the late Commissioner Francis Lekolool who served for a long time as a provincial commissioner and was also quite influential in the past. With this appointment, Stelu’s duties will include escorting the President, keeping his diary, gifts and any speeches to be read out at functions. Additionaly, Stelu will have to be stationed at State House in order to be close to the President whenever necessary.

The position of Aide-de-camp has previously been held by Lieutenant Colonel Victor Mburu, who according to the Military Spokesman Bogita Ongeri, has gone abroad for further military studies. Mburu’s predecessor was Lieutenant Colonel Peter Njiru who also served the former President Mwai Kibaki. So far, Stelu is President Uhuru’s third Aide-de-camp.

A number of notable officers to have held this position in the past during President Moi’s term include Major Macharia who served both Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and President Moi, Major Ngugi Ikenye who succeeded Major Macharia, Colonel Wilson Boinett who was later moved to the National Security Intelligence Service (NIS), Colonel Alexander Sitienei, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Rono and finally Colonel Stephen Boiywo.

President Kibaki’s term saw only three Aide-de-camps take office; Lieutenant Colonel Jossiah Mrashui followed by Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey King’angi and lastly, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Njiru.

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