Editor's Review
President William Ruto has explained why he opposed businessman Suleiman Shahbal’s bid to become governor of Mombasa.
President William Ruto has explained why he opposed businessman Suleiman Shahbal’s bid to become governor of Mombasa.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 8, during the signing of an agreement by DP World on the development of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at State House, Ruto said he had advised the businessman against seeking the Mombasa governorship.
"You remember I told you, Shabal; you said you wanted to run for governor in Mombasa and I told him I am against it," he said.
Ruto said Shahbal was a talented entrepreneur whose business skills, networks and courage to invest could make a significant contribution to Kenya, noting that the country already had many people capable of pursuing political careers.
"You are a great entrepreneur, it's not easy to come across people like you who have the acumen, who have the capacity, who have the connection, who have the courage to do the kind of investments that are going on in this country. We have too many people who can be politicians," he added.
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Ruto said he had encouraged Shahbal to pursue a different path where his entrepreneurial activities could create jobs and contribute more directly to the country's economy.
"I told him we need him in a different space where he could make a huge contribution to Kenya. Look at what you are doing with this, it will create more jobs for 10,000 people. It’s better than you going there, being harassed by MCAs, being shouted at, and being subjected to demonstrations," he further said.
Shahbal, meanwhile, said the Mombasa SEZ project was a vision he had pursued for more than two decades, dating back to his development agenda in 2010 and his 2013 gubernatorial campaign.
"For over 20 years, I have carried this vision of a Special Economic Zone for Mombasa. It featured prominently in my development agenda in 2010, became a flagship promise in my 2013 gubernatorial campaign, and since then I have continued knocking on doors, engaging investors and government agencies, and pushing to see this dream become a reality," he wrote.
Shahbal said the signing of the agreement at State House marked a significant milestone in his long-running efforts to establish the SEZ in Mombasa.
"Today, that journey reaches a defining moment. The SEZ deal is set to be signed at State House, in the presence of President William Ruto. After two decades of pursuing this vision, seeing it finally reach this stage is a deeply fulfilling moment," he added.
Shahbal expressed gratitude to those who supported the idea and said his ultimate measure of success would be the benefits the project delivers to the people of Mombasa.
"I am grateful to everyone who believed in this idea and helped bring it this far. But for me, the real celebration will be when this SEZ delivers what I have always envisioned; jobs, investment, businesses and new opportunities for the people of Mombasa," he further said.
