Embakasi MP Babu Owino and Mombasa businessman-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal in Nairobi on Monday / BRIAN OTIENO
Mombasa businessman-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal flanked by Chaani MCA Frankline Makanga [L] and his Mikindani counterpart Jacktone Madialo [R] in Mombasa on Sunday /BRIAN OTIENO
The clearest indication yet has emerged that Mombasa businessman-turned-politician Suleiman Shahbal will ditch his current party and seek the governor’s seat on another ticket.
Shahbal, who is currently in ODM, the party with which he was nominated to the East Africa Legislative Assembly, has already announced he is ready to ditch the political outfit.
Speaking on a podcast on September 9 where he announced he will be on the ballot despite President William Ruto’s public plea to him to step down, Shahbal said “there are many parties apart from ODM”, indicating he will pick one should ODM shortchange him.
He said the idea of denying his allies party tickets will soon be a thing of the past, insinuating that his supporters were persecuted politically for associating with him in 2022.
Now, most of Shahbal’s known allies have been incorporated in the leadership structure of another party, The New Democrats Party, by the Registrar of Political Parties.
In Gazette notice No. 15174 on September 14, the registrar indicated that new officials of the party include Samir Shahbal, Shahbal’s son, as the new party leader, taking over from David Sudi.
Sudi becomes the deputy party leader in charge of policy.
Martin Kariuki, another ally, has been incorporated as the deputy leader in charge of operations, a position that was vacant.
John Mathenge takes over from Thuo Mathenge as party national chairman, with Daniel Musembi maintaining his position as secretary general.
Kariuki was coy when contacted about the new development, refusing to confirm or deny that Shahbal has settled on The New Democrats Party.
“I am somewhere (I cannot talk). Let us talk later please,” he told the Star on phone when contacted on Tuesday.
However, Chaani MCA Frankline Makanga was more forthcoming, saying that will be Shahbal’s vehicle.
“Of course, we’ve been cleared. Never again shall we be blackmailed by ODM. We are ready. We are set. The game is 90 minutes. We meet on August 10, 2027 to take over Mombasa county,” Makanga said.
He said the fact that Samir is the party leader should tell the world something.
“The son of a boss is the boss,” Makanga said.
Makanga, who was elected on an independent ticket, said the time for ODM to blackmail leaders and deny residents of Mombasa and Kenya deserving leaders is long gone.
“The fact that the D in ODM and UDA is no longer about democracy is why we have The New Democrats Party, an established party for the people, by the people, for that is the spirit of democracy,” Makanga said.
He said ODM and UDA should close shop in Mombasa as the new party steps into town.
Mikindani MCA Jactone Madialo, another ally of Shahbal, said he has only read about the reports but nothing has been confirmed yet.
“We wait for his word. He has not told us yet,” Madialo said.
Shahbal himself did not pick calls but said in his social media handles that change must come to Mombasa.
On Monday, he met Embakasi MP Babu Owino, who is eying the Nairobi governor seat, and has also indicated that he will be ditching ODM.
In the meeting in Nairobi, Shahbal indicated that he is willing to sacrifice a lot for the people of Mombasa.
Shahbal said both Mombasa and Nairobi deserve leadership that turns ideas into opportunities, creates jobs, improves services and gives people renewed confidence in the furture.
“The conversation is underway. The work has begun. Change must come,” he said.
