NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has explained why he advised businessman and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Suleiman Shahbal against pursuing the Mombasa governorship, saying the entrepreneur could make a greater contribution to Kenya through business and job creation.
Ruto made the remarks on Tuesday, September 8, at State House Nairobi during the signing of an agreement involving DP World for the development of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The President recalled advising Shahbal against entering the Mombasa gubernatorial race, arguing that Kenya already had enough people willing and capable of pursuing political careers.
“You remember I told you, Shahbal; you said you wanted to run for governor in Mombasa and I told him I am against it,” Ruto said.
He instead encouraged Shahbal to focus on his entrepreneurial activities, saying his business experience, networks and willingness to invest could generate employment and contribute significantly to the economy.
Ruto praises Shahbal’s business acumen
Ruto described Shahbal as a talented entrepreneur whose ability to mobilise investment made him particularly valuable to the country’s economic development.
“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 said.
The President suggested that Shahbal’s contribution through private-sector investment could have a more direct economic impact than holding elective office.
“I told him we need him in a different space where he could make a huge contribution to Kenya,” Ruto said.
The President made the comments as Shahbal’s GulfCap Group prepares to work with DP World on the proposed Mombasa SEZ, a project expected to attract investment and create thousands of jobs.
Mombasa SEZ deal
The agreement signed at State House involves the development of a proposed Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, Mombasa County.
The project, backed by GulfCap Group and DP World, is expected to support manufacturing, logistics, exports and other commercial activities.
The development has been presented as a major investment opportunity for Mombasa and is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities once implemented.
Ruto used the project to illustrate why he had encouraged Shahbal to remain focused on entrepreneurship.
“Look at what you are doing with this, it will create more jobs for 10,000 people,” he said.
The President argued that the private-sector project would provide Shahbal with an opportunity to create jobs without exposing him to the political pressures associated with elective office.
“It’s better than you going there, being harassed by MCAs, being shouted at, and being subjected to demonstrations,” Ruto added.
Shahbal’s political ambitions
Shahbal has previously been involved in Mombasa politics and has expressed ambitions to lead the county.
His decision to pursue business and regional political responsibilities rather than the governorship has placed him in a position where he continues to combine private-sector interests with public and regional roles.
Ruto’s remarks suggest that the President viewed Shahbal’s entrepreneurial capacity as an asset that could be deployed beyond elective county politics.
The comments also highlight the broader relationship between political leadership and private investment in Kenya, particularly as the Government seeks to attract large-scale investments into Special Economic Zones and other industrial projects.
Business over politics
Ruto’s argument was essentially that Kenya needs entrepreneurs capable of investing, creating jobs and expanding economic activity just as much as it needs politicians.
The President’s remarks also reflect the Government’s wider emphasis on private-sector-led economic growth, investment and employment creation.
For Shahbal, the project represents a significant business undertaking and reinforces Ruto’s description of him as an entrepreneur whose influence can extend beyond electoral politics.
The President’s comments, however, were framed as a personal explanation of why he advised Shahbal against seeking the Mombasa governorship, rather than as a formal statement on Shahbal’s political ambitions.
