Kenas Aroi


Kenas Aroi was a Nauruan political figure. He was President of the Republic of Nauru from 17 August to 12 December 1989.

Background

Aroi was a member of the Parliament of Nauru, Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru from January 1971 to January 1977. He was elevated to cabinet in January 1977. He was finance minister under Kennan Adeang. Before he became president, Aroi was involved in the Nauru Phosphate Corporation.

President of Nauru

With support from Kennan Adeang, as Hammer DeRoburt was caught in a military situation, Aroi became president on 17 August 1989. Adeang then became finance minister. During his period of Presidential office Aroi experienced health problems and after a stroke in November 1989 he did not run in the elections in December of that year. He was succeeded on 12 December 1989 by Bernard Dowiyogo.

Personal

Kenas Aroi died in January 1991. His widow, Millicent Aroi, is Nauru's High Commissioner to Fiji and a composer.