SHAHBAL: I've been a hustler all my life but won't give wheelbarrows

Prominent businessman Suleiman Shahbal unsuccessfully ran for Mombasa governor in 2013 and 2017, losing both times to Hassan Joho. Now Shahbal aims to succeed him. Armed with a manifesto, he's meeting the people. He spoke to political reporter Allan Kisia about his plans and how he intends to win hearts.

You have contested twice and lost both times, do you believe you stand a chance in 2022?

I have never given up on becoming the governor of Mombasa. I am determined to clinch that seat by all means because of the great plans I have for the people. I believe I have what it takes to change the county for the better.

What do you intend to achieve in your first 100 days?

This talk about what people will do in the first 100 days in office is a fallacy. How can you repair what was destroyed in 50 years in just 100 days? The first months in office should be used to give a clear direction that you want the county take. People should be able to know exactly what I want to achieve during my tenure in office. It is also during this period that I will appoint the people who will work with me to deliver the aspirations of the people and also a time that I will be identifying my development partners.

Have you settled on a running mate?

It is too early to pick a running mate. What I know for sure is that my running mate will be a woman. The choice of a running mate is very important. There has to be a balancing because that person should be a representative of various interest groups. It should be a person who adds value.

I am not looking for a flower girl. I am also looking for a person with whom I have personal chemistry. You have seen governors fight with their deputies just six months after assuming office, that is not what I want.

I also want somebody who shares my vision and has the capacity to become governor. If you drop dead, the person taking over should have the capability to carry on with your work.

What are your priorities?

I will not have the monopoly on ideas so I will be consulting widely to determine areas needing urgent attention. As of now, my priority areas will include health, job creation, water and sanitation, education, infrastructure and women. I have absolute clarity on my goals. I have clear goals for each sector and how I will achieve them.

Emphasis will be on job creation because when people have money in the pockets, other challenges go away. I will re-look at ways of helping small traders, medium-level businesses and big businesses. Small businesses are the biggest employers while the middle-level business have a lot of potential.

The big businesses are major employers. I will put in place measure to discourage businesses from leaving the county and also encourage others to set up base in Mombasa. I want the biggest part of my legacy to be job creation.

What informed your decision to return to ODM?

My return to ODM is a classic example of the story of the Prodigal Son.

Many people seem not to know I have had a relationship with ODM leader Raila Odinga from the year 2000 when we travelled together to Oman to look for investors. In 2011, we also travelled to Iran together to also look for investors; at that time he was Prime Minister. Shortly thereafter, we traveled to South Sudan.

In 2013, I was in ODM and primaries were rigged so I left. I am now back and there are people who are not happy that the Prodigal Son has returned. These are people who want nomination certificates delivered to their doorsteps.

How do you describe your relationship with Governor Joho?

I do not take political differences personally. Today, we might fight each other politically but what happens when elections end? There would be no reason to continue to fight. I fought with Joho in 2013 and 2017 but it was not personal. We should learn to put our differences aside after an elections and see how we can all contribute to the development agenda.

When Baba [Raila] shook hands with President Kenyatta, people could not believe it because the two were sworn enemies. They came together for the sake of development and unity of the country. I know Joho and I have developed a special political relationship that sparked a debate on the county leadership’s succession battle in 2022.

I am not looking for an endorsement. I also do not think Joho will endorse anyone since all those who have expressed interest to succeed him are his friends.

What are your view's of Deputy President William Ruto's 'bottom-up' economic approach?

The Deputy President has done a great thing to bring that debate. First, I must point out that there are two kind of hustlers: those who try to con people and those who wake up every morning and try to earn a honest living.

I have no time for those who want to steal from others. Most politicians fall under this category.

However, there are those who just want to do business and are always running away from county askaris. They have no place to do business and have no access to financing. These are the people we should be helping. We should find them places to do their work, help with finance and help them to grow.

I am not in the hustler movement but I have been a hustler all my life. That is why I think it is important to help the people who are down there. We need to help them grow, not just give them wheelbarrows.

If I am elected governor, I will allocate Sh50 million every year to every ward for projects aimed at helping the people at the bottom earn a decent living. This will be about 10 to 15 per cent of the total budget.

(Edited by V. Graham)