E-Clips:- Business Pictorial - Shockwaves From The Anglo Leasing Scam Discloures Refuse To De Down

His calm and composure notwithstanding, Vice-President Arthur Moody Awori is not a quitter - particularly in the murky field of politics. And those who have eenly ollowed his career over the years are not surprised by his declaration not to cave in to public pressure.

For a quarter century, he has ruled the Funyula people of Busia District as MP and wont say goodbye, just yet. Initially referred ,to as "the professIOnal assistant mlmster", he patICntly waited for 20 years to clinch the superior post of VP and it is unlikely that he will let go, just a heartbeat away from the top seat.

Watching him deliver the harsh-toned statement last Thursday, most Kenyans just came face to face with the other side of the man they fondly refer to as uncle Moody. That the ever-smiling old man was mdeed moody, adamant and combative, was a disquieting experience for some.

:The VP is simply sta~ding up for his clean reputatIon, which he asas bUIlt over the years. Judging f~om his political standing, it is only natural that he fights hard the possibility of going down disgrace fully," observed Kanu Nominated MP Ruth Oniango.

Prior to his bold decision, Sunday Nation has established that the VP was involved in a series of consultations over his political destiny, hours after he met the President last Tuesday. It is understood that the YP and two Cabinet colleagues, MrKiraitu Murungl (Energy) and Mr Daudi Mwiraria (Fi- ~ance), w.ere ~sked to step down to pave way for mvestlgatlOns mto the Anglo Leasing scandal. Mr Mwiraria has since quit.

While Mr Awori, as the seniormost of the three was expected to set the ball rolling by resigning, h~ went quiet for days opting instead to confer with friends. In what might have been an effort to ease off pressure from his bosom friend, the President Mr Mwiraria chose to jump the gun by tendering his resignatIOn.

The summons followed anxious moments at State House and within the Cabinet after former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru. appeared to place the blame squarely. on the President. Last week, the Kieni MP claimed that the President authorised the Sh4.l billion naval ship deal, now at the centre of the Anglo Leasing saga.

The resignation of Mr Mwiraria, which has roundly been hailed as prudent and commendable, sent shockwaves among Mr Aworis allies. Some of them sent feelers to newsrooms that the VP was going to resign from Cabinet and relinquish his Funyula seat as well.

The notion of him "wasting away" on the backbench, they observed, was so demeaning to the VP. To save face, the best way out was for Mr Awori who is a relatively wealthy businessman, to honour~ ably retire from politics and quietly manage his chain of firms.

Contacted for comment, Mr Aworis political nvals m his Funyula backyard, Messrs Patrick Afwande and Mathews Ogama, expressed shock at the development, promising to react at a later stage.

However, the pace of events seemed exceptionaly fast.. The VP who was separately consulting with 1egl~lat~rsfrom Western Kenya decided to change his mmd. And less than three hours before h~sThurs~ay p~ess conference, one of the politicians confided m Sunday Nation that Mr Awori was staying put.