Mombasa United patron Suleiman Shahbal has dismissed reports that he has stopped sponsoring the club, insisting that he remains committed to supporting the coastal side as it adjusts to life in the SportPesa League.
Shahbal’s remarks come days after club president Anza Fresh announced during a livestream on the club’s social media platforms that the businessman had withdrawn his financial support, adding that the management was looking for new sponsors.
“Our patron, Hon. Suleiman Shahbal, is no longer with us, and we are continuing to look for sponsors. I can confirm that talks with some potential partners have reached an advanced stage,” Anza Fresh said.
However, Shahbal has refuted the claims, accusing some politicians of attempting to introduce political divisions into a club he says was built from the grassroots with the support of the local community.
“Keep politics out of sports. Keep politics out of sports. First of all, we started Mombasa United at the grassroots level and supported it all the way to the SportPesa League. That was our target,” Shahbal said.
“If we started this team and supported it from the beginning, why would I leave it now? This is my team, it is our team, and Anza Fresh has played a big part in it. So these stories that Shahbal has stopped sponsoring the club are not true.”
The businessman has been a key figure in Mombasa United’s journey through the lower tiers of Kenyan football, providing support through the Shahbal Foundation as the club worked towards earning a place in the top flight.
The Sultans secured promotion to the 2026/27 SportPesa League after beating Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 in the first leg of their promotion-relegation playoff before being awarded a 2-0 victory in the return leg following a Football Kenya Federation ruling on the abandoned match.
Shahbal also revealed that efforts to secure additional commercial partners were already underway, naming gaming firm SportPesa and broadcaster Azam TV as potential partners.
“Anza Fresh and I work together. As you all know, I took Anza Fresh to Dubai, where we met SportPesa officials, who agreed to sponsor us. We are also in talks with Azam, who are also on board to sponsor us,” he added.
Beyond sponsorship, Shahbal disclosed that the club was expecting to receive a new bus following discussions involving President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho.
“We have already held talks with President William Ruto to gift us a bus. Through Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, the President has already gifted us a bus, which we expect to receive in two to three weeks,” Shahbal said.
The patron maintained that Mombasa United should be a source of pride for residents of the coastal city rather than a platform for political disagreements. He questioned the sudden interest from politicians following the club’s promotion, arguing that the team needed collective support as it establishes itself in the top division.
“We have come from far with this team. Where have these politicians been since we started building it? Now that we have been nationally recognised, they are coming from everywhere and trying to bring fights,” he said.
“I will say it again: keep politics out of sports. This team called Mombasa United belongs to the people of Mombasa. It does not belong to me. I urge everyone to support it, but let us not bring dirty politics into football.”
Shahbal also challenged the Mombasa County Government to provide support similar to that extended to other clubs by their respective county leaders. He cited Nairobi United and Shabana as examples, urging local authorities to help Mombasa United compete at the highest level.
“I urge the county government of Mombasa to offer support. Governor Sakaja of Nairobi County supports Nairobi United, while Simba Arati supports Shabana. Our team is called Mombasa United, not Shahbal United, so let us quit dirty politics and support our team so that we can win the SportPesa League,” he said.
This wasn’t just a normal Media Day… IT WAS A WHOLE DANCEHALL PARTY! 🔥🎶 Mombasa United came energized 🙌🏾
#SportPesaLeague #TwendeGame https://t.co/3lnTaaiTBR— SportPesa League (@Officialfkfpl) October 16, 2026
The businessman reiterated that his commitment to the club remained intact despite the reports surrounding his sponsorship.
“I am still sponsoring Mombasa United to the best of my abilities, and I will continue sponsoring Mombasa United. To those bringing politics into this, shame on you. Let us unite for a change as the people of Mombasa. We have something to be proud of because this team has put us on the map across the country,” he added.
The off-field disagreements come at a difficult time for Mombasa United, who are still searching for their first points in their debut SportPesa League campaign.
The coastal side opened their top-flight journey with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz at Mbaraki Sports Club on October 14 before suffering a 2-1 loss away to Mara Sugar at Green Stadium in Awendo on October 19.
The two defeats leave Mombasa United without a win after their opening two league matches, having scored once and conceded three goals. They will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they host Kenya Police FC on Sunday, October 25, at Mbaraki Sports Club.
With the club preparing for another important fixture, Shahbal’s message is clear: Mombasa United need unity, financial backing and support from the wider community as they seek to establish themselves in the top flight. Whether on the pitch or in the boardroom, the immediate challenge is to ensure that the club’s historic promotion becomes the beginning of a sustainable future for football in Mombasa.