United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Hassan Omar speaks to the media at the party headquarters in Nairobi on May 14, 2026. President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar has thrown his weight behind businessman Suleiman Shahbal's decision to challenge Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, rejecting political deals or zoning arrangements that would require aspirants to step aside and give the incumbent a clear run at a second term.Mr Omar said the choice of who should govern Mombasa must be left to voters, putting him on the same side as Mr Shahbal in opposing efforts to determine the county's next governor through negotiations among political leaders.Mr Omar said every politician should go back to the people, speak to them and show them their track record.The former human rights defender said there should be no stepping aside and no political agreements.“Any negotiations or decisions to step aside should happen on the ground, with the voters. I am also a resident of Mombasa seeking elective office. I have my own views. In my view, when it comes to leadership and governance in Mombasa, there has been no administration that has failed as much as the current governor’s,” he said.Mr Omar also rejected the suggestion that political leaders should determine who contests the gubernatorial seat.“So, I will not help him with votes; I may not even vote for him. That is why we are saying there should be no zoning. When I said there should be no zoning, he said he would go and speak to my bosses. I do not know which bosses he was referring to. These people here are our bosses. Let him come and speak to our bosses. Our bosses are the voters, and you are the ones who will decide whether you want this person or that person,” he said.He said other aspirants had also been asked to make way for rivals but had refused to leave the race.“Someone else was also told recently to step aside. Everyone has their own opinion. Others were told to make way, but they have said they are still in the race because everyone has their own challenges and everyone wants to change Mombasa. We know that Mombasa has decided that the person currently in office will be a one-term governor. Mombasa wants a new governor, and I am asking you to help me become that new governor,” Mr Omar said.United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Hassan Omar speaks to the media in Nairobi on May 19, 2026.He claimed that residents had already made up their minds about Mr Nassir's political future, urging them to communicate their position directly to President William Ruto.“Everyone is saying that the governor is going home. Go and listen everywhere. Keep your ears to the ground and go down to the grassroots. And you should also pass this message to President William Ruto: he has the presidential vote here and he will win. But for this one, the gubernatorial seat, no, not here,” he said.Mr Omar's remarks underline a distinction he has repeatedly drawn between the presidential and gubernatorial contests, arguing that Mombasa residents can support Dr Ruto for a second term while rejecting Mr Nassir at the county level.“We have votes for President Ruto, but for the gubernatorial race, we will not negotiate or agree on anything. You must be a one-term governor. That is not negotiable,” he said.The UDA official has been campaigning in Mombasa for Dr Ruto's re-election while simultaneously positioning himself as a challenger for the governor's seat.Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki (left) and businessman Suleiman Shahbal at the ODM@20 anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.He said the President's development projects at the Coast should persuade residents to support his re-election, but maintained that this should not translate into automatic support for the incumbent governor.Mr Omar, who is also an EALA MP, said he entered politics to bring change and recalled growing up in Mombasa's informal settlements and struggling to obtain an education.“We are children who have fought and struggled for everything we have achieved in life. Nothing has ever been handed to us. Even when we fail, we go back and try again. This business of stepping aside for someone else has no place here. What we want is for the people of Mombasa, the Coast and Kenyans as a whole to be given the opportunity to choose their leaders who will take them forward,” he said.He said leaders should be judged by their record in office and their ability to protect residents' interests.“A leader is someone who protects the interests of the people, safeguards the poor and brings development,” Mr Omar said.He challenged politicians seeking another term to account for what they had delivered rather than rely on fresh campaign promises.“We have seen some emerging and telling you what they will do. Some are beginning to write contracts. But it is time to come out and tell residents what you have done in the four years in leadership,” he said.
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