During his 24-year rule, former President Daniel Moi had six different Aides-de-Camp (ADCs).
Although ADCs are not bodyguards, they are supposed to shield their boss when push comes to shove, even taking bullets when the situation demands.
This means that they are answerable if anything happens to the commander in chief under their watch.
Moi was served by 6 different ADCs during his tenure. Interestingly, these men were in military ranks of a Major to a Lieutenant-Colonel.
That being said, let’s take a look at the 6 men whom President Moi trusted with his life:
Brigadier Samuel Macharia
Macharia was Moi’s first ADC and President Jomo Kenyatta’s last. He was at the bedside of the founding father when he was pronounced dead in August 1978.
He resumed duty two months later when President Moi ascended to power.
Major-General Peter Ikenye
Ikenye assumed the ADC role in 1979. He is remembered for accompanying former President Moi to chaotic Libya trip in 1982.
He was also with Moi’s during the attempted coup in 1982. Although ADCs are not supposed to carry guns, he put on his military uniform and carried a sub-machine gun ready to protect the president.
Brigadier Wilson Boinnet
Boinnet was one of the longest-serving ADCs. He was picked from the military after the attempted coup held this role for 8 years.
He lost his job after a bitter confrontation with powerful cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott during a presidential trip abroad.
Boinnet was later brought back to head the Directorate of Security Intelligence.
Brigadier Alex Sitienei
Sitienei served as head of education programmes at Defence headquarters before assuming the role of ADC. He often wrote the president’s speeches.
He vied for the Sotik parliamentary seat after retiring but lost.
Lieutenant General Jonathan Rono
Rono served as ADC from 1998. He was present when President Moi met with Vice-President George Saitoti and Cabinet minister Joseph Kamotho and assured them that their names were in the list of the proposed contestants for Kanu vice-chairman and secretary-general, respectively.
Minutes before Saitoti and Kamotho arrived at Kasarani, Moi gave Rono a list that didn’t have any of their names.
Brigadier Kemei Kipng’etich
Kipng’etich was Moi’s last ADC. He served for six months. At the time, Moi was campaigning for Uhuru to succeed him.
In December 2002, Moi had accepted that the opposition was headed for victory. Kipng’etich was with him when he went to visit Kibaki’s running mate Michael Wamalwa who was recovering at a hospital in London.
