Supporters of Mombasa ODM gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal have emotionally expressed their disappointment in their preferred candidate stepping down.

Shahbal met his supporters to explain to them why he quit the race to support his competitor Abdulswamad Nassir.

Shahbal stepped down in internal negotiations led by ODM party leader Raila Odinga last week.

“Today, after thoughtful consideration of the needs and aspirations of the people of Mombasa, long deliberations with my Party Leader Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and advise from the chairperson of Azimio la Umoja Coalition President Uhuru Kenyatta, I hereby announce that I have dropped my gubernatorial bid in support of my brother Abdulswamad Nassir,” Shahbal announced.

However, it seems the idea is not popular among residents of Mombasa who supported Shahbal’s candidature.

They asked Shahbal to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate.

Shahbal’s supporters faulted Raila for prevailing upon their preferred candidate to step down in favour of Nassir saying he should have consulted them first.