Former Kisauni Legislator Vows to Unseat Governor Nassir
Former Kisauni Legislator Ali Menza Mbogo at a past event. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By George Otieno
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
The 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, after former Kisauni Member of Parliament Ali Menza Mbogo officially threw his hat into the ring in a bold and defiant declaration.
Speaking before a large and energized crowd at Kadongo Grounds in Mishomoroni on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Mbogo confirmed that he will contest for the Mombasa County top seat, setting the stage for a political showdown with incumbent Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.
“This time around, I am going all the way to the ballot. Nobody will stop me. I will become the next governor of Mombasa,” Mbogo declared, drawing loud chants and cheers from his supporters.
Mbogo, who served as Kisauni MP and currently chairs the LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) Corridor Development Authority, criticized his 2022 decision to step down in favor of UDA candidate Hassan Sarai, calling it a miscalculation that cost his camp the election.
“We would have won because we had the numbers. I know most of you stayed home because I was not on the ballot,” he told the crowd.
With the announcement marking the official start of his campaign, Mbogo said he would soon reveal the political party on which he will vie and pledged to embark on an intensive grassroots campaign across all six constituencies of Mombasa: Jomvu, Kisauni, Likoni, Mvita, Nyali, and Changamwe.
“Moving forward, you will see me in every corner of Mombasa County. We must take back leadership,” he said.
Mbogo used the rally to highlight his development track record during his tenure as MP, claiming to have built more than five primary schools and dispensaries, in contrast to what he termed as the “lackluster” performance of Governor Nassir.
“The only development project by Nassir when he was MP for Mvita was building one school,” he stated.
He made bold campaign pledges, including free education for all Mombasa children from primary to secondary school, initiatives to reduce youth unemployment, address squatter problems, and improve security.
“You don’t need a degree to clean the environment. These are jobs I will give to young people so they can make quick money,” he said.
Mbogo did not hold back in criticizing Governor Nassir’s academic qualifications, suggesting doubts about the governor’s educational background.
“Some people claim to be graduates, but I really doubt it. Is this what we call leadership from a graduate?” he questioned.
With Mombasa’s Mijikenda community forming one of the largest voting blocs in the county, political analysts see Mbogo’s entry as a potential game changer, particularly with his strong base in Kisauni.
“Kisauni sets the pace for Mombasa politics,” he said. “Jomvu looks up to you, so do Changamwe, Likoni, and Mvita. Ensure you elect me in 2027 so we can properly manage this county.”
Speculation is rife that also Current Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, popularly known as Jicho Pevu, could be eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections, aiming to unseat incumbent Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.
While Ali is yet to make an official declaration, sources within political circles suggest that he’s determined to seek mandate of Mombasa residents and become the county’s third governor.
Currently his intention to vie is sparking discussions across the region, indicating a highly competitive race ahead.
