Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has challenged President William Ruto’s reasoning for urging businessman Suleiman Shahbal to abandon his 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial ambitions and focus on business.
Ahmednasir argued that the President was overlooking what he considers a deeper problem within Kenya’s political system, where elective and public offices can provide opportunities for individuals to accumulate wealth.
In a statement responding to Ruto’s remarks, the lawyer said Kenyans are often drawn to politics because they see it as an easier route to wealth compared with entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
“I think H.E WILLIAM RUTO misses the point completely,” Ahmednasir said.
The senior counsel argued that the attraction of politics cannot simply be explained by a desire to serve the public, pointing to the financial benefits and influence associated with powerful political and public offices.
“Kenyans go to politics because politics is the quickest and easiest way to become a billionaire at Wajiku's expense,” he said.
Ahmednasir further accused sections of Kenya’s political elite of benefiting from public resources, arguing that corruption and misuse of state resources have contributed to the accumulation of immense wealth by individuals holding influential positions.
“Stealing from the public comes so natural to the political elite,” he added.
His comments came after Ruto publicly praised Shahbal’s entrepreneurial credentials while asking him to reconsider his ambition to become Mombasa governor.
Ruto described Shahbal as a “great entrepreneur” and argued that Kenya needs people with his business experience to create investments, expand industries and generate employment rather than seek elective positions.
The President made the remarks during the signing of a Sh12 billion agreement involving Shahbal’s GulfCap Group and DP World to develop a Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, Mombasa.
Ruto said the project demonstrated the contribution Shahbal could make through entrepreneurship and investment. He also encouraged Kenyan businesses to develop the capacity to undertake large-scale projects and compete with foreign companies.
Ahmednasir, however, questioned the premise that business success should necessarily come at the expense of political participation.
He cited what he described as “billionaire governors” and wealthy heads of state corporations as examples of the financial opportunities available within Kenya’s political and public sectors.
He also referenced former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s era, alleging that billionaires emerged from the political establishment.
“Business and manufacturing are difficult,” Ahmednasir said, adding that wealth accumulation was visible “everywhere” within Kenya’s political system.
Shahbal has since maintained his intention to contest the Mombasa governorship in 2027, setting the stage for a potentially closely watched political battle at the Coast.