President William Ruto's deputy Aide-de-Camp (ADC) made a public appearance on Thursday during the International Women's Day 2023 celebrations held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

Clad in army fatigues, Lieutenant Colonel Damaris Agnetta made a rare public appearance at KICC when President Ruto took stage, maintaining an astute poise until when the Head of State walked off the stage.

The President's ADC Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga has been the one accompanying him in several public events. 

Colonel Agnetta, appointed in September 2022, succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Rachel Nduta of the Kenya Air Force who served as President Uhuru Kenyatta's deputy ADC. 

Prior to her appointment, Agnetta had been serving as the artillery officer in the Kenya Army. She also served in the United Nations Military Observer Mission.

An ADC is chosen by the President at his own volition and should be a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Contrary to the notion that the ADC is a bodyguard or personal assistant to the President, he/she has more roles under their belt.

The ADC is mandated with managing the president’s diary and liaising with his or her main security team, according to KDF spokesperson Colonel Esther Wanjiku who previously spoke to The Standard.

She added that the ADC is a principal military officer serving the president.

The term “Aide-De-Camp” is borrowed from the French language which means “helper in the military camp”.

Individuals holding this position are highly-trained senior military officers, who are required to be part of the president’s itinerary at all times.