Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has rejected President Ruto's advice to abandon his 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial bid, announcing his exit from ODM and vowing to be on the ballot regardless.
Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has rejected President William Ruto's advice to abandon his 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial ambitions and concentrate on private sector investments — and in the days since, has gone a step further, announcing his exit from ODM as he doubles down on the race.
The standoff began on Tuesday, September 8, at State House, Nairobi, where President Ruto was presiding over the signing of a Ksh 12 billion agreement for a Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, a project tied to Shahbal's GulfCap Group. During the ceremony, Ruto publicly advised Shahbal to reconsider his political plans and instead put his business experience toward the country's economic development.
"This country cannot be grown by politicians alone. We need many more people. We need serious industrialists. We need serious investors. We need Kenyans who can do many things that can grow this country. And I say this with tremendous respect to my brother Shahbal. Honestly, and I told him, Shahbal, my friend, please, you know, we need you in a different space," Ruto said.
The President reportedly went further, framing elective politics as a harder path than investment. He pointed to the jobs the Jomvu project could create, arguing it would have more impact than Shahbal seeking office — and, according to reports, suggested Shahbal would be better off avoiding the friction of being "harassed by MCAs" and "shouted at" in public office.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, September 9, Shahbal made clear he was not taking the President's advice. He said Mombasa's interests mattered more to him than the course of action being proposed, framing the 2027 contest as an opportunity for residents to determine their own leadership.
"President William Ruto is our president; he is someone I respect greatly. He is my friend. But Your Excellency, please forgive me for saying this, I believe the interests of Mombasa are more important than the course of action you are proposing," Shahbal said.
He was unequivocal about staying in the race.
"Let me tell you in no uncertain terms: come 2027, whether they like it or not, there will be no retreat. There will be no turning back. We will face off at the ballot box on August 10, 2027," he added.
According to Shahbal, only two things could stop his bid at this point: "Almighty God" deciding otherwise, or the people of Mombasa themselves rejecting his candidature. He also called on Mombasa residents to rally behind what he described as a wider push to transform the county, presenting his ambitions as part of that broader change.
In the days following the exchange, Shahbal announced he was leaving ODM, the party under whose banner he had previously sought the Mombasa governorship. He described the departure as a "friendly divorce" and indicated he would soon unveil a new political vehicle for his 2027 bid, reportedly hinting at the possibility of running as an independent.
Shahbal also alleged that the President had been "incited" into making his State House remarks by political actors seeking to push him out of the race. He accused unnamed figures of using party structures and zoning arrangements to determine who gets to contest elective seats, and questioned why the electorate could not simply be left to decide.
"I believe the President was incited to utter those words to push me out, that I am a businessman and I should leave politics for politicians. That is why they are pushing for zoning. Why can't you allow the electorate to decide?" Shahbal reportedly said.
These are allegations from Shahbal himself and have not been independently verified.
The 2027 race would mark Shahbal's third attempt at the Mombasa governorship. He first ran in 2013 on a Wiper Democratic Movement ticket against then-heavyweight Hassan Joho, lost, and unsuccessfully challenged the result in court. He returned in 2017 under the Jubilee Party, again facing Joho and losing. Ahead of the 2022 General Election, Shahbal sought ODM's nomination but ultimately stepped aside in favour of the party's eventual candidate.
Shahbal's renewed bid comes as President Ruto appears to be backing aspirants aligned with the Broad-Based Government arrangement for the 2027 gubernatorial race in Mombasa. In particular, Ruto appears to be favouring UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar, a former Mombasa Senator, who is positioning himself as a challenger for the seat.
Omar would be up against incumbent Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir of ODM — notably, with UDA and ODM currently part of the same Broad-Based Government arrangement, a dynamic that adds another layer to an already complicated Coast political landscape.
With Shahbal now out of ODM and preparing a new political platform, and Omar positioning himself within UDA, the 2027 Mombasa governor's race is shaping up to be a three-cornered — if not more crowded — contest, with Nassir defending his seat.
This is a developing story. #DonSamiLive will continue to track developments in the race for Mombasa's top seat ahead of 2027.