The recent appointment of ODM leader Raila Odinga as a special Africa Union Envoy for Infrastructure Development in Africa will no doubt have ripple effect on the local political scene where the former prime minister has been the fulcrum within which Kenyan politics have been operating for the last 15 years.
With Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who is Raila's number two in the ODM leadership expected to step into the big political shoes left by Raila, who by the virtue of his new position will play a background role in the local political scene, huge task lies ahead.
Will Joho succeed in maintaining party unity? What of his own Coast political turf, will he keep Deputy President William Ruto at bay amid the seemingly changing political winds in the region?
In the past, Joho's critics have claimed that the governor is riding on Raila's popularity to springboard his own political ambitions. If so, is Joho finally going to step out of Raila's shadow and be his own man?
Whatever happens between now and 2022 remains unclear. But for now, Joho may have to prove his own political worth in the 'absence' of Raila. If not, his journey to State House will be dealt a blow even before take off.