NAIROBI, Kenya – Samir Suleiman Shahbal, son of Mombasa businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal, has been appointed interim party leader of The New Democrats (TND) following a reshuffle of the party’s officials.
The changes were announced in a Gazette Notice dated September 18, 2026, which moved Samir into the party leadership and reassigned several other officials.
Samir replaces David K. Sudi, who has been moved from party leader to deputy party leader.
The changes were made under Section 20(1)(c) of the Political Parties Act, with members of the public given seven days to submit written objections to the Registrar of Political Parties.
Samir Shahbal Takes Over Party Leadership
Samir is not entirely new to politics.
In June, Siaya Governor James Orengo announced that Samir had joined his political and technical team, citing his technical expertise and links to Mombasa and the wider Coast region.
The appointment now gives Samir a formal leadership role within TND as the party reorganises its officials ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Away from politics, Samir has been involved in his family’s business interests, including real estate projects in Mombasa.
David Sudi Moved to Deputy Leader
The Gazette changes also affected TND’s previous leadership structure.
Sudi, who had been serving as party leader, has been moved to the position of Deputy Party Leader.
The reshuffle forms part of changes formally notified to the Registrar of Political Parties, with the statutory seven-day period provided for members of the public to raise any concerns.
Jimmy Kibaki Loses Deputy Leader Position
The reshuffle also removes Jimmy Kibaki, son of former President Mwai Kibaki, from his position as Deputy Party Leader.
He has been replaced in the position by Francis Kariuki.
The changes place a new group of officials at the centre of TND’s leadership as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Appointment Comes After Shahbal’s Political Stand-Off With Ruto
Samir’s appointment comes days after his father publicly rejected President William Ruto’s advice to stay out of the 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial contest.
Ruto made the remarks on September 8 during the signing of an agreement involving Shahbal’s GulfCap Group and DP World for a Special Economic Zone in Jomvu.
The President praised Shahbal’s business credentials and said Kenya needed serious investors and industrialists to drive economic growth and create jobs.
Shahbal subsequently rejected the advice and maintained that he would contest the Mombasa governorship in 2027.
“I’m still in the race,” Shahbal said, adding that he would only abandon his bid if God or Mombasa residents decided otherwise.
Shahbal Eyes Another Mombasa Governor Bid
The 2027 election would be Shahbal’s third attempt at the Mombasa governorship.
He first contested the seat in 2013 on a Wiper ticket, losing to Hassan Joho. He returned in 2017 under Jubilee, again losing to Joho.
In the run-up to the 2022 General Election, Shahbal sought the ODM nomination but eventually stepped aside and backed incumbent Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.
Shahbal has since said he intends to pursue the seat again despite Ruto’s advice to focus on business.
