Suleiman Shahbal declares Mombasa governorship bid for 2027

Businessman and industrialist Suleiman Shahbal has declared his intention to contest the Mombasa governorship in the 2027 General Election, defying direct advice from President William Ruto to remain in the private sector.

The disagreement follows a recent event at State House in Nairobi, where President Ruto suggested that Shahbal should focus on his business expertise to drive economic development and job creation rather than pursuing political office. Shahbal expressed respect for the President but stated that his desire to serve the public interest outweighs the suggestion to focus solely on business.

Shahbal, who previously withdrew from the 2022 gubernatorial contest, emphasized that he is prepared for the upcoming race and intends to let the voters of Mombasa decide. He also criticized political parties for making candidate decisions behind closed doors, asserting that aspirants should not be entirely dependent on party leadership to determine their political futures.