Before 2017 elections, little was known about Owen Yaa Baya who was elected the new Kilifi North MP.
However, today, he is one of the most vocal and sometimes controversial lawmakers from the Coast region. His brand of politics can be likened to that of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party leader, Julius Selo Malema.
He first announced his arrival into the region's politics when he became the 'ringleader' of the controversial Coast region secession. However, the idea has since fizzled out.
Baya who worked as Kilifi County Secretary before trying his luck in politics has been at the for-front advocating for the rights of the people from the region.
At the time Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho are still weighing their options ahead of the 2022 political contest, the firebrand MP is leading majority of the lawmakers in the region into joining the Deputy President William Ruto camp, a move that has irked his party, ODM.
With his aggression, the former Pwani University Lecturer could be fighting for his own political space in Kilifi County-away from Kingi and many reckon that if he plays his cards well, he will topple Kingi as Kilifi's political kingpin.
His outspokenness especially in fighting for the rights of the locals is his major political asset. However, for a man with no political experience, it may be necessary that he plays out safe lest he loses it.