{
  "id": 11601967,
  "title": "EALA MP Shahbal tells Wantam, Tutam camps to wait 6 months for his decision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/eala-mp-shahbal-tells-wantam-tutam-camps-to-wait-6-months-for-his",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T04:33:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/eala-mp-shahbal-tells-wantam-tutam-camps-to-wait-6-months-for-his-decision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sulaiman Shahbal, a gubernatorial hopeful and East African Legislative Assembly MP, stated that his party would wait six months before determining which political direction to take nationally. In an interview on October 2, 2026, Shahbal emphasized that his current priority was to strengthen support in Mombasa before the 2027 General Election. He rejected pressure to declare support for the Wantam or Tutam formations, instead urging such discussions to be postponed until after the six-month period. The new party's establishment and strong support in Mombasa would be prioritized before making national alliances. Shahbal likened his party's situation to that of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, suggesting that politicians should first consolidate their local support before seeking national backing. He acknowledged that national developments could influence the party's future position, depending on which leaders align with his opponents in Mombasa. If someone endorses an opponent of Shahbal's in Mombasa, they would be considered an enemy. His final decision, Shahbal said, would be guided by the interests of Mombasa's people rather than his personal preference. Currently, 24 of the county's 30 elected MCAs have expressed interest in joining his new political party ahead of the 2027 General Election.",
  "summary": "Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Sulaiman Shahbal said he will wait six months before deciding which political direction his new party will take at the national level. Speaking in an interview with Herman Manyora on Friday, October 2, 2026, Shahbal said his immediate focus was on consolidating his support in […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Sulaiman Shahbal, MP, says party will wait 6 months before deciding on national direction.",
    "Current priority: strengthening support in Mombasa before 2027 General Election.",
    "Discussions on supporting Wantam or Tutam formations postponed until after 6-month period."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}