Senior Mombasa Jubilee politician Suleiman Shahbal is set to join the Orange Democratic Movement party this week as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga tours the region.
Shahbal, a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta will be among a host of Coast leaders decamping to the Orange party this coming week.
According to Shahbal, his decision to join ODM party has been influenced by the handshake between President Kenyatta and Odinga.
Shahbal is among leaders interested in succeeding Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho who is set to vacate office in 2022.
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The ODM party enjoys massive support in Mombasa, and therefore, anyone who flies its flag is almost guaranteed of a sure victory.
The huge following is one of the factors that may have prompted Shahbal to consider joining the opposition outfit.
Meanwhile, Shahbal has in the past two general elections unsuccessfully contested the Mombasa governorship, and now has a great chance of winning the lucrative post should he bag the ODM ticket.
His decision to join ODM could cause jitters in the party as several senior ODM leaders from the region were lining themselves up to replace Joho.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sheriff is reported to be one of the leaders interested in replacing Joho.
