This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
On July 6th, 2021, Mombasa businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal submitted his resignation letter to Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, marking the end of his membership with the party.
Shahbal expressed his gratitude to the party for the support he received during his tenure, stating that it was now time for him to join the party of his choice. He cited Section 14 of the Political Parties Act, 2011, as the basis for his decision to resign.
Shahbal's resignation comes as no surprise, given his recent declaration of interest in running for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2022 general elections. He had previously vied for the seat in 2013 and 2017, but lost to incumbent Governor Hassan Joho.
Shahbal's decision to join ODM has set the stage for a potential showdown with other contenders, including Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Deputy Governor William Kingi, who are also eyeing the ODM ticket for the Mombasa top seat.
