Editor's Review

"Ruto, now that you are working with ODM, be careful that the cancer of ODM does not affect your party as well."

Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has asked President William Ruto not to allow shenanigans at the ODM party to infiltrate his UDA party, lest it collapse.

Speaking on Monday, September 28, Shahbal described ODM's tactic of awarding party tickets based on closeness or friendship to the party leader, and on who offers to pay more, as a cancer that ate the party.

He sensationally claimed that the trend cost the former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, the presidency in 2022, and warned Ruto not to condone it.

"I am telling the President, William Ruto, while you are working with ODM, be careful that the cancer of ODM does not affect your party as well.

"What have those shenanigans of pushing leaders because of friendship or giving them tickets because they paid more for them done? Raila lost the presidency in Nyanza and other ODM strongholds because the people did not come out to vote. After all, politicians who got tickets did not mobilise them," he stated.

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A file photo of businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

Shahbal expressed his discontent with ODM's removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino from the party.

He claimed that there was a plan to force him out, but warned that he would not leave alone.

The Businessman hinted at forming a new party in the Coastal Region that would break away from the tyranny of large political parties. He added that the region would be free to choose its own leaders.

Shahbal said he would not pick a side between the government and the United Opposition until both factions clearly state what they had planned for the region.

However, he warned the Opposition against relying on sloganeering, and drew parallels to what happened in the American Elections in 2024.

"It reminds me of Kamala Harris, campaign in the US: 'Trump is corrupt, Trump is a thief, Trump is a womaniser'. Now Trump is the President. That strategy is not going to work," he stated.

Earlier, Shahbal declared his intention to run for the Mombasa Gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election against Ruto's advise.

He said he respects President William Ruto, but the interests of Mombasa locals should take precedence over the President’s advice. 

“President William Ruto is someone I respect; he is my friend. But I am telling him, please, on your advice you will have to forgive me because I believe the interests of Mombasa are more important than what you are telling me to do,” Shahbal stated.