Tourism CS Najib Balala has declared he will not run for any position in the 2017 general election and told his supporters "thanks, but no thanks".
This paves way for Suleiman Shahbal to be named Jubilee candidate to face incumbent Governor Hassan Joho (ODM).
“I am in the centre of power - in the executive. Why should I withdraw and run?" Balala posed while speaking to the Star by phone on Monday.
“I better give that chance to another person in Jubilee, which will have a transparent process of nominating flag bearers in every level. There should not be any grey areas or uncertainty."
Read:
The Cabinet Secretary's pronouncement will go a long way in increasing support for Shahbal. Balala, who is former Mvita MP, has a significant following in Mombasa.
Read:
Balala lost out to Cord’s Hassan Omar in the 2013 Senate race.
His Republican Congress party is one of 13 political outfits that folded to form Jubilee Party.
Jubilee Party will be registered and launched in September.
Balala further said: “We cannot all run. Some of us have to play other roles. I am already playing a very important role in the executive.
Leadership is not just about getting elected. You play leadership roles in all spheres."
The CS's declaration will also help quell tension among the Jubilee brigade in Mombasa over who will be the party’s flag bearer.
Shahbal welcomed competition on Saturday and said no one will be given a direct ticket.
“If Shahbal wants to be governor and you also want to be governor, come and let us stand together so that the people can decide,” he said.
He addressed a meeting of Jubilee aspirants attended by party interim co-chairman Noah Wekesa at the Mombasa Women's Hall.
The politician told the Star on Monday there has never been friction between him and the CS as they respect each other.
“He is a senior politician and I respect him as a person, a politician and technocrat. He has a proven track record,” Shahbal said.
Balala’s supporters including Ibrahim ‘Babangida’ Khamis and Ali Mwatsahu, had been pushing the party to nominate Balala.
But
Shahbal was keen to avoid controversy and in a show of unity, attended a fundraising Iftar dinner in Kilifi South with Balala and MPs Mustafa Idd (host), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North)
and Hassan Dukicha (Galole)
on June 10.
This was days Mwatsahu and Babangida said they wanted Balala named party flag bearer.
The Jubilee Coast point man described those trying to drive a wedge between him and Balala as political noisemakers with no impact.