'Thanks, but no, Mr President,' Shahbal defies Ruto on Mombasa governor seat
Opinion
By
Patrick Beja
| Sep 11, 2026
The battle for the Mombasa governor seat took a new twist after businessman Suleiman Shahbal rejected a request by President William Ruto to shelve his plans to vie for the coveted post.
A day after Ruto publicly told Shahbal to shelve his political ambition, the tycoon said he was firmly in the race to unseat Governor Abdulswamad Nassir of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Shabhbal is the second senior politician in board-based government to reject what they say is a scheme to ringfence the seat for Nassir. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has also vowed to vie.
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In an interview with Coast-based radio station, hours after the State Head of State told him to concentrate on business, Shahbal said Mombasa deserves good leadership.
Shahbal, although he respects the president’s opinion, his political ambitions were driven by what he described as the interests of the people of Mombasa.
"President William Ruto, you are my friend and I respect you, but Your Excellency, you will have to forgive me because the interests of the people of Mombasa come first,” Shahbal said.
Shahbal said he would be on the ballot in 2027, making it clear that the president's appeal would not change his decision to seek the county's top seat.
"Whether they like it or not, in 2027 I will be on the ballot for Mombasa Governor,” he declared.
The announcement comes just days after President Ruto publicly said he had advised Shahbal against running for governor, arguing that his experience as a businessman and investor could make a greater contribution to Mombasa and the country through investment, industrialisation and job creation.
But Shahbal maintained that his priority was transforming Mombasa and said he was ready to take on the political challenge.
"We must transform Mombasa. The people of Mombasa deserve better, and that is why I have decided to offer myself for the governorship,” he said.
Shahbal also sought to reassure politicians and aspirants who may want to work with him, saying past political divisions would not be repeated.
He alleged that in previous political contests, some aspirants were denied party tickets because of their association with him but promised that such circumstances would not recur if he took charge of the political process.
“What happened in the past, where some aspirants were denied party tickets simply because they were on my side, will not happen again,” Shahbal said.
His declaration is expected to reshape the political landscape in Mombasa ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as the race begins to attract heightened attention from national political players.
Shahbal has previously contested the Mombasa governorship and has remained a prominent figure in Coast politics and business. His latest declaration sets the stage for another closely watched gubernatorial contest in the county.