Supporters of businessman Suleiman Shahbal have kick-started a signature collection exercise to compel him to run for the Mombasa governorship seat as an independent candidate.

According to the requirements by IEBC for a candidate to vie on an independent ticket for the Gubernatorial race, he/she must obtain at least 500 signatures from each Ward across the county.

Businessman Suleiman Shahbal therefore need at least 15,000 votes from Mombasa registered voters to be able to vie as an independent candidate.

A close supporter of Suleiman Shahbal revealed to Mnews that the process to collect signatures is moving on swiftly and that they’re close to achieving their goal.

Suleiman Shahbal is expected to accompany ODM Leader Raila Odinga to United States for a one-week trip.

If Suleiman Shahbal will vie as an independent candidate, then he’ll face former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who’s vying on Wiper Party ticket, Kenya Kwanza candidate Hassan Omar who’s vying on UDA ticket and Abdulswahmad Sharrif Nassir who’s vying on ODM ticket.