DNK International By Our Reporter,Mombasa
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Suleiman Shahbal has emerged as one of the most influential businessmen turned politicians in Mombasa county.
His political journey is again entering another decisive phase after he declared that he will seek the Mombasa governorship seat in the 2027 General Election.
The 66 year old Shahbal was born in Mombasa and has combined a long career in international banking and investment with more than a decade of high profile involvement in Mombasa politics.
He is married to Rahma Shahbal and studied in Nairobi before pursuing higher education in the United States.
Shabhal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois and undertook International Banking studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
He also holds a Global MBA from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
His business profile further indicates that he is pursuing a PhD in Business Management at Strathmore University.
Shabhal’s professional career was built largely in the banking and investment sector.
After completing his studies, Shahbal returned to Kenya but struggled to secure employment before moving to the Middle East.
He worked for Citibank, rising to a senior position in private banking in the Middle East, before joining BankMuscat in Oman, where he became Deputy General Manager and Head of International Operations.
His responsibilities exposed him to international banking, investment and financial transactions across the Middle East and Asia.
He later turned increasingly to entrepreneurship and investment.
Shahbal is the founder and chairman of GulfCap, whose portfolio has included businesses and investments in finance, real estate, energy, power, petroleum, trading and other sectors.
GulfCap’s current corporate profile lists GulfCap Africa, Gulf African Bank, GulfPower, Gulf Energy, GulfCap Investment Bank and GulfCap Real Estate among businesses established or associated with the group.
The group in its portfolio indicates that businesses established by Shahbal have been valued at more than $1 billion, although this should not be interpreted as meaning that he personally owns all of those companies.
One of his most notable business achievements as he disclosed to DNK-International during a past interview was his role in the establishment of Gulf African Bank, which became one of Kenya’s prominent Islamic banking institutions.
In 2018, then President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Shahbal chairman of the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), a position he held for about three years.
Official KenTrade records show him serving as chairman during initiatives aimed at improving Kenya’s electronic trade and border clearance systems.
His political career began with the 2013 General Election, when he contested for the Mombasa governorship seat on a Wiper ticket.
He mounted a strong challenge against then Mombasa Senator Hassan Joho but lost, polling 94,905 votes against Joho’s 132,583.
Joho is now mining cabinet secretary after serving for ten years as Mombasa Givernor.
Shahbal challenged the outcome in court, but the election was ultimately upheld.
He returned to the gubernatorial contest in 2017, this time as Jubilee’s candidate, but again lost to Joho.
His political profile was strengthened by his considerable financial resources, business connections and ability to mobilise support across Mombasa’s diverse communities.
Some quarters and political analysts have reported and described him as one of the major financiers of political campaigns at the Coast.
During the 2013 election petition, Shahbal told the court that he had spent about Sh200 million on his campaign, while other reports put the figure considerably higher.
Reports also indicated that he financed candidates associated with his political team.
His political influence has not, however, been limited to his own campaigns.
Shahbal has or had developed relationships with major Coast political figures including Joho and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He was later incorporated into Raila’s Azimio presidential campaign team for the Coast in the 2022 election.
His relationship with Joho is particularly notable because the two were once fierce political rivals.
Their rapprochement following the 2018 handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga transformed Mombasa and to an extend Coast politics, with Shahbal subsequently working alongside Joho on several initiatives.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, for example, Shahbal supported Mombasa’s response by donating personal protective equipment and other assistance.
Shahbal’s political philosophy has generally revolved around economic transformation, job creation, security and investment.
In one of his memorable statements during the 2022 campaign, he said he wanted to become Governor because he believed he could unite Mombasa and transform its economy.
He also famously argued that political leaders should be judged by service delivery rather than “race, colour, tribe or religion.”
Shabhal also became known for the phrase, “I started from the bottom,” which he used while speaking to boda boda operators, encouraging them to build businesses rather than allow politicians to use them to fight their opponents.
He urged young people not to allow national politics to divide them and argued that the “hustler” status was only a stage on the way to success.
The biggest political twist in Shahbal’s career came in 2022.
Having again expressed interest in the Mombasa governorship, he was set to compete for the ODM ticket against Abdulswamad Nassir (current Mombasa Governor).
He eventually withdrew and supported Nassir after interventions by Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Shahbal disclosed that a crucial meeting at Joho’s house helped persuade him to abandon his Gubernatorial bid and instead support Raila’s presidential campaign at the national level.
His withdrawal was significant because it demonstrated that Shahbal could put coalition and national political considerations ahead of his personal ambition.
After stepping aside, he was brought into Raila’s national campaign machinery and was expected by some of his allies to play a role in a possible Azimio government.
Shahbal entered Parliament through the East African Legislative Assembly, becoming one of Kenya’s representatives in the regional legislature.
His background in finance and international trade has shaped his approach to the EALA role, where economic integration, investment and regional trade have remained among his principal areas of interest.
His political comeback gained momentum in 2026, with the “Mombasa is Calling” message signalling a renewed interest in the governor’s seat.
Shahbal has increasingly presented himself as a businessman who wants to bring his private sector experience into county government, with job creation, investment, education, security and revival of Mombasa’s economy forming the centre of his political pitch.
The latest chapter began this month when President William Ruto publicly revealed that he had advised Shahbal not to seek the Mombasa governorship.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi during the signing of a business agreement between GulfCap and DP World,Ruto praised him as a successful entrepreneur and argued that Kenya needed his investment and job creation abilities more than his bid for Governor seat.
Ruto’s intervention, however, did not persuade Shahbal. Instead, the EALA MP declared that he would remain in the race, saying the interests of Mombasa residents were more important than the President’s advice.
“In 2027, whether they like it or not, there is no retreat. There is no backing down,” Shahbal said.
He also declared that only God or the people of Mombasa could stop him.
Shahbal’s political resilience is perhaps his defining characteristic.
He has lost gubernatorial contests, changed political parties, reconciled with former rivals, withdrawn from a race at the height of his campaign and later returned to the same ambition.
Yet his wealth, international business experience, political networks and reputation for financing political activity have kept him relevant in Coast politics.
His current business interests are also giving his political ambitions a new dimension.
In 2026, GulfCap entered into an agreement with DP World to develop a major industrial and logistics hub in Mombasa, while Gulf Group has continued expanding its investment footprint in Nairobi and other sectors.
For a man who first attempted to become Mombasa governor in 2013, Shahbal’s 2027 bid represents more than another election campaign.
It is an attempt to finally convert years of business success, political networking and influence at the Coast into control of the county he has repeatedly sought to lead.
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🗓️ [DNK-International@September 15,2026]East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Suleiman Shahbal has emerged as one of the most influential businessmen turned politicians in Mombasa county.
His political journey is again entering another decisive phase after he declared that he will seek the Mombasa governorship seat in the 2027 General Election.
The 66 year old Shahbal was born in Mombasa and has combined a long career in international banking and investment with more than a decade of high profile involvement in Mombasa politics.
He is married to Rahma Shahbal and studied in Nairobi before pursuing higher education in the United States.
Shabhal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois and undertook International Banking studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
He also holds a Global MBA from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
His business profile further indicates that he is pursuing a PhD in Business Management at Strathmore University.
Shabhal’s professional career was built largely in the banking and investment sector.
After completing his studies, Shahbal returned to Kenya but struggled to secure employment before moving to the Middle East.
He worked for Citibank, rising to a senior position in private banking in the Middle East, before joining BankMuscat in Oman, where he became Deputy General Manager and Head of International Operations.
His responsibilities exposed him to international banking, investment and financial transactions across the Middle East and Asia.
He later turned increasingly to entrepreneurship and investment.
Shahbal is the founder and chairman of GulfCap, whose portfolio has included businesses and investments in finance, real estate, energy, power, petroleum, trading and other sectors.
GulfCap’s current corporate profile lists GulfCap Africa, Gulf African Bank, GulfPower, Gulf Energy, GulfCap Investment Bank and GulfCap Real Estate among businesses established or associated with the group.
The group in its portfolio indicates that businesses established by Shahbal have been valued at more than $1 billion, although this should not be interpreted as meaning that he personally owns all of those companies.
One of his most notable business achievements as he disclosed to DNK-International during a past interview was his role in the establishment of Gulf African Bank, which became one of Kenya’s prominent Islamic banking institutions.
In 2018, then President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Shahbal chairman of the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), a position he held for about three years.
Official KenTrade records show him serving as chairman during initiatives aimed at improving Kenya’s electronic trade and border clearance systems.
His political career began with the 2013 General Election, when he contested for the Mombasa governorship seat on a Wiper ticket.
He mounted a strong challenge against then Mombasa Senator Hassan Joho but lost, polling 94,905 votes against Joho’s 132,583.
Joho is now mining cabinet secretary after serving for ten years as Mombasa Givernor.
Shahbal challenged the outcome in court, but the election was ultimately upheld.
He returned to the gubernatorial contest in 2017, this time as Jubilee’s candidate, but again lost to Joho.
His political profile was strengthened by his considerable financial resources, business connections and ability to mobilise support across Mombasa’s diverse communities.
Some quarters and political analysts have reported and described him as one of the major financiers of political campaigns at the Coast.
During the 2013 election petition, Shahbal told the court that he had spent about Sh200 million on his campaign, while other reports put the figure considerably higher.
Reports also indicated that he financed candidates associated with his political team.
His political influence has not, however, been limited to his own campaigns.
Shahbal has or had developed relationships with major Coast political figures including Joho and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He was later incorporated into Raila’s Azimio presidential campaign team for the Coast in the 2022 election.
His relationship with Joho is particularly notable because the two were once fierce political rivals.
Their rapprochement following the 2018 handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga transformed Mombasa and to an extend Coast politics, with Shahbal subsequently working alongside Joho on several initiatives.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, for example, Shahbal supported Mombasa’s response by donating personal protective equipment and other assistance.
Shahbal’s political philosophy has generally revolved around economic transformation, job creation, security and investment.
In one of his memorable statements during the 2022 campaign, he said he wanted to become Governor because he believed he could unite Mombasa and transform its economy.
He also famously argued that political leaders should be judged by service delivery rather than “race, colour, tribe or religion.”
Shabhal also became known for the phrase, “I started from the bottom,” which he used while speaking to boda boda operators, encouraging them to build businesses rather than allow politicians to use them to fight their opponents.
He urged young people not to allow national politics to divide them and argued that the “hustler” status was only a stage on the way to success.
The biggest political twist in Shahbal’s career came in 2022.
Having again expressed interest in the Mombasa governorship, he was set to compete for the ODM ticket against Abdulswamad Nassir (current Mombasa Governor).
He eventually withdrew and supported Nassir after interventions by Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Shahbal disclosed that a crucial meeting at Joho’s house helped persuade him to abandon his Gubernatorial bid and instead support Raila’s presidential campaign at the national level.
His withdrawal was significant because it demonstrated that Shahbal could put coalition and national political considerations ahead of his personal ambition.
After stepping aside, he was brought into Raila’s national campaign machinery and was expected by some of his allies to play a role in a possible Azimio government.
Shahbal entered Parliament through the East African Legislative Assembly, becoming one of Kenya’s representatives in the regional legislature.
His background in finance and international trade has shaped his approach to the EALA role, where economic integration, investment and regional trade have remained among his principal areas of interest.
His political comeback gained momentum in 2026, with the “Mombasa is Calling” message signalling a renewed interest in the governor’s seat.
Shahbal has increasingly presented himself as a businessman who wants to bring his private sector experience into county government, with job creation, investment, education, security and revival of Mombasa’s economy forming the centre of his political pitch.
The latest chapter began this month when President William Ruto publicly revealed that he had advised Shahbal not to seek the Mombasa governorship.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi during the signing of a business agreement between GulfCap and DP World,Ruto praised him as a successful entrepreneur and argued that Kenya needed his investment and job creation abilities more than his bid for Governor seat.
Ruto’s intervention, however, did not persuade Shahbal. Instead, the EALA MP declared that he would remain in the race, saying the interests of Mombasa residents were more important than the President’s advice.
“In 2027, whether they like it or not, there is no retreat. There is no backing down,” Shahbal said.
He also declared that only God or the people of Mombasa could stop him.
Shahbal’s political resilience is perhaps his defining characteristic.
He has lost gubernatorial contests, changed political parties, reconciled with former rivals, withdrawn from a race at the height of his campaign and later returned to the same ambition.
Yet his wealth, international business experience, political networks and reputation for financing political activity have kept him relevant in Coast politics.
His current business interests are also giving his political ambitions a new dimension.
In 2026, GulfCap entered into an agreement with DP World to develop a major industrial and logistics hub in Mombasa, while Gulf Group has continued expanding its investment footprint in Nairobi and other sectors.
For a man who first attempted to become Mombasa governor in 2013, Shahbal’s 2027 bid represents more than another election campaign.
It is an attempt to finally convert years of business success, political networking and influence at the Coast into control of the county he has repeatedly sought to lead.
Want to be featured? or have a personality want to know about him or her:
📞WhatsApp: ±2540703633820,±254754168624
✉️ Email: dailynewskenya0@gmail.com
SUPPORT CITIZEN JOURNALISM
Help us keep independent, community-focused journalism alive.
Paybill: 222111
Account No. 3179512
Your support helps us report, inform and amplify stories from communities that matter.
Thank you for supporting citizen journalism.
🗓️ [DNK-International@September 15,2026]
