Mombasa businessman has announced his intention to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, despite President William Ruto’s advice that Suleiman Shahbal should withdraw from politics.
In a video shared by Suleiman Shahbal on September 10, he said he would not back down from the 2027 contest and would meet his opponents at the ballot on August 10, 2027.
“Let me tell you in no uncertain terms: in 2027, whether they like it or not, there is no backing down. We will meet at the ballot on August 10, 2027,” he said.
Suleiman Shahbal also addressed reports of supporters having their political event tickets torn up, telling them to keep their tickets.
He said the 2027 contest would be a proper race unless God decided otherwise or the people of Mombasa chose differently.
Calling for political change in Mombasa, Suleiman Shahbal urged his supporters to come together and work towards changing the county.
“In 2027, whether they like it or not, it is a proper race, unless two things happen. Either God decides otherwise, or the people of Mombasa say otherwise. But my fellow supporters, change. Change must come. Mombasa is calling, and it is calling all the supporters, all of us. Let us come together and change Mombasa,” Shahbal said.
Ruto Asks Suleiman Shahbal to Stay Out of Politics
Shahbal’s announcement came a day after Ruto publicly advised him to remain focused on business and stay out of politics.
Ruto made the remarks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a function at State House, Nairobi.
The President spoke during the signing of an agreement worth about KSh12 billion between Shahbal’s GulfCap Group and DP World the develop a Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, Mombasa.
Ruto recalled that he had previously advised Shahbal against seeking the Mombasa governor’s seat, instead urging him to concentrate on business and job creation.
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The President described Suleiman Shahbal as a “great entrepreneur” and said Kenya needed more industrialists and investors.
Despite the advice, Shahbal has now confirmed his intention to enter the Mombasa gubernatorial race in 2027.
Why Mombasa Is Emerging as a Key Battleground Ahead of 2027
Mombasa has long been one of Kenya’s strongest ODM and opposition strongholds, backing Raila Odinga in every presidential election since 2013 and consistently electing ODM-aligned leaders.
The county’s political loyalty has made Mombasa a symbolic opposition base on the Coast, even as national power shifted between different political coalitions.
The formation of the broad-based government after the 2024 Gen-Z protests disrupted the traditional opposition-government divide.
President William Ruto brought senior ODM figures, including former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, into senior government positions.
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Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir also became an ODM deputy leader within the ruling coalition.
The arrangement was presented as an effort to promote political stability and support development in areas that had traditionally backed the opposition.
Zoning dispute puts Mombasa in focus
The broad-based arrangement has also created tension over political zoning and candidate space in Mombasa.
ODM leaders have argued that traditional opposition strongholds such as Mombasa and Kilifi should retain ODM candidates, particularly for the gubernatorial positions.
UDA leaders in the Coast have rejected formal zoning, arguing that candidates should compete openly for elective positions.
The disagreement has increased the political significance of the 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial race, with competing parties seeking to strengthen their influence in the county.
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