President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar has thrown his weight behind businessman Suleiman Shahbal's decision to challenge Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, rejecting political deals or zoning arrangements that would require aspirants to step aside and give the incumbent a clear run at a second term.
Mr Omar said the choice of who should govern Mombasa must be left to voters, putting him on the same side as Mr Shahbal in opposing efforts to determine the county's next governor through negotiations among political leaders.
Mr Omar said every politician should go back to the people, speak to them and show them their track record.
The former human rights defender said there should be no stepping aside and no political agreements.
“Any negotiations or decisions to step aside should happen on the ground, with the voters. I am also a resident of Mombasa seeking elective office. I have my own views. In my view, when it comes to leadership and governance in Mombasa, there has been no administration that has failed as much as the current governor’s,” he said.
Mr Omar also rejected the suggestion that political leaders should determine who contests the gubernatorial seat.
“So, I will not help him with votes; I may not even vote for him. That is why we are saying there should be no zoning. When I said there should be no zoning, he said he would go and speak to my bosses. I do not know which bosses he was referring to. These people here are our bosses. Let him come and speak to our bosses. Our bosses are the voters, and you are the ones who will decide whether you want this person or that person,” he said.
He said other aspirants had also been asked to make way for rivals but had refused to leave the race.
“Someone else was also told recently to step aside. Everyone has their own opinion. Others were told to make way, but they have said they are still in the race because everyone has their own challenges and everyone wants to change Mombasa. We know that Mombasa has decided that the person currently in office will be a one-term governor. Mombasa wants a new governor, and I am asking you to help me become that new governor,” Mr Omar said.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Hassan Omar speaks to the media in Nairobi on May 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
He claimed that residents had already made up their minds about Mr Nassir's political future, urging them to communicate their position directly to President William Ruto.
“Everyone is saying that the governor is going home. Go and listen everywhere. Keep your ears to the ground and go down to the grassroots. And you should also pass this message to President William Ruto: he has the presidential vote here and he will win. But for this one, the gubernatorial seat, no, not here,” he said.
Mr Omar's remarks underline a distinction he has repeatedly drawn between the presidential and gubernatorial contests, arguing that Mombasa residents can support Dr Ruto for a second term while rejecting Mr Nassir at the county level.
“We have votes for President Ruto, but for the gubernatorial race, we will not negotiate or agree on anything. You must be a one-term governor. That is not negotiable,” he said.
The UDA official has been campaigning in Mombasa for Dr Ruto's re-election while simultaneously positioning himself as a challenger for the governor's seat.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki (left) and businessman Suleiman Shahbal at the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
He said the President's development projects at the Coast should persuade residents to support his re-election, but maintained that this should not translate into automatic support for the incumbent governor.
Mr Omar, who is also an EALA MP, said he entered politics to bring change and recalled growing up in Mombasa's informal settlements and struggling to obtain an education.
“We are children who have fought and struggled for everything we have achieved in life. Nothing has ever been handed to us. Even when we fail, we go back and try again. This business of stepping aside for someone else has no place here. What we want is for the people of Mombasa, the Coast and Kenyans as a whole to be given the opportunity to choose their leaders who will take them forward,” he said.
He said leaders should be judged by their record in office and their ability to protect residents' interests.
“A leader is someone who protects the interests of the people, safeguards the poor and brings development,” Mr Omar said.
He challenged politicians seeking another term to account for what they had delivered rather than rely on fresh campaign promises.
“We have seen some emerging and telling you what they will do. Some are beginning to write contracts. But it is time to come out and tell residents what you have done in the four years in leadership,” he said.
Mr Omar said he too should be judged on his record, pointing to his role as UDA Secretary-General.
“As for me, I was given a national government mandate as Secretary-General of the ruling party. I am the custodian of the 2022 election pledges,” he said.
His position comes days after President Ruto publicly sought to persuade Mr Shahbal to abandon his gubernatorial ambitions and concentrate on business, arguing that his contribution as an investor would be more valuable to the country.
“You remember I told you, Mr Shahbal, that I know you want to run for Mombasa governor, and I told you I am against it. Forgive me, my brother Shahbal, but you are a great entrepreneur,” Dr Ruto said at State House, Nairobi, during the signing of a Sh12 billion agreement between Mr Shahbal's GulfCap Group and global logistics company DP World to develop a 535-acre Special Economic Zone in Jomvu. The first phase is expected to create about 10,000 jobs.
Suleiman Shahbal during a past event.
Photo credit: File
“We have too many people who can be politicians, and I am one of them. It is not that politicians are less human beings. But this country cannot be grown by politicians alone. We need serious industrialists, serious investors and Kenyans who can do many things that can grow this country,” he said.
But Mr Shahbal rejected the appeal, declaring that he would be on the ballot in 2027.
The businessman-turned-politician also alleged that political actors had influenced the President to push him out of the race and accused them of using party structures and zoning to determine who should contest elective positions.
“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?” Mr Shahbal said.
His decision to remain in the race has complicated efforts to create a negotiated path for Mr Nassir's re-election.
A section of Mombasa MCAs, however, has urged Mr Shahbal to listen to the President's advice.
“I was at State House when President Ruto dissuaded Mr Shahbal from vying. I wish he could listen to the Head of State; he is a wise man. Why isn't Mr Shahbal listening to the President yet he is his boss?” Kadzandani Ward representative Fatma Kushe said on September 10 during the issuance of appointment letters to newly recruited nurses in Mombasa.
Likoni and Ganjoni ward representatives Athman Mwamiri and Priscila Mumba also defended Mr Nassir's record, citing projects in health, education and other sectors.
“Those who have eyes can see what the governor has done since he was elected. We can't gamble with someone who has not been tested and tried. But I also want to announce here that, whether they like it or not, whether they love or hate it, Mr Nassir will be re-elected. We know why. We know the leaders who deserve to be governor,” Ms Mumba said.
Mr Mwamiri said Mombasa was “lucky” to have Mr Nassir as governor and argued that the President's intervention showed support for the governor's re-election.
The remarks have placed Mr Omar and Mr Shahbal in an unusual alignment. Both are positioning themselves for the Mombasa governorship and could eventually become rivals, but for now they share opposition to efforts to clear the field for Mr Nassir.
Mr Shahbal has also announced his departure from ODM, saying he had concluded that the party would not give him its ticket and that he would unveil a new political vehicle.
Mr Omar, meanwhile, has rejected the idea that a crowded field should be resolved through political agreements.
“We will ensure that everyone who wants to be in the race is allowed to contest. The more, the merrier. We will all compete and fight it out, but the people will have the final say. And I am asking you to give me the opportunity to lead Mombasa,” he said.
With Mr Shahbal refusing to step aside, Mr Omar campaigning for the same seat and Mr Nassir defending his record, the Mombasa gubernatorial contest is shaping up around competing claims of popularity, performance and political alliances.
