University degree qualification for gubernatorial aspirants has once again sparked debate in Mombasa with a section of aspirants calling for thorough scrutiny of academic papers for all contestants.

Mombasa governor aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has asked the Independent electoral and boundaries commission to do a thorough check of all academic papers of his opponents to ensure their validity.

Without mentioning names, Shahbal said a degree qualification was significant for all governor candidates and thus the need to ensure his opponents have the right papers to qualify for the governor seat.

“There are many leaders, who are vying today, and they have problems with certificates, you can’t have masters without a bachelor’s degree as some are claiming, but they should know that the days of forging degrees have long gone, they should know that,” posed Shahbal.

His sentiments were echoed by Kisauni Member of Parliament Ali Mbogo, who is also vying for Mombasa governor, raising concerns over questionable degree academic qualifications for some of aspirants.

“You can’t be a governor without a degree, people should stop misleading others, they know themselves and they should fear God and tell people the truth,” claimed Mbogo.

Addressing political aspirants at a separate event last week, Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir said that he is currently undergoing his masters degree.

"I know this is going to give some people heart attack. As we speak, I Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir despite preparing for the coming elections, I'm currently undergoing my masters. Education is something that is continuous" said Nassir.

 On Wednesday, while addressing Mombasa county political aspirants, Shahbal also warned his political opponents to brace for a bruising political battle in his quest to quest to succeed Mombasa governor Hassan Joho

Speaking at Wesley Methodist hall in Mombasa, Shahbal said he was confident of winning the ODM party primaries and be the party's candidate for the post of Mombasa governor in the main election.

The two time Governor Contestant who lost in 2013 and subsequently in 2017 to governor Joho, asked his main rival, Mvita Mp Abdulswamad  Nassir to stop bragging about his closeness to party leader Raila Odinga, instead, prepare for fair defeat in when the party holds its primaries.

“Those bragging that they already have party certificates should prepare for defeat, this time round nobody should take us for a ride, we will be there to ensure we get the ticket because we mean well for this county,” said Shahbal.

The businessman rallied the aspirants to stage an extensive grassroots campaign for him so that electorates can put into leadership leaders with vision to steer ahead Mombasa development.

"This is my third time to vie, and I believe I have a vision that can change the lives of residents of Mombasa, if we put the right leadership in Mombasa, the experience we got in 2013 and 2017 is enough to win the seat,” added Shahbal.

Shahbal says residents of Mombasa have long suffered from lack of services owing to what he termed as bad leadership in Mombasa County.

 "Mombasa has various problems which need to be addressed as they come, and leaders should take responsibility where they can, we have a  big problem of  lack of jobs, if as a leader you are unable to produce jobs, what else can you offer,” said Shahbal,in reference to his opponents.