For the second day in a row, Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja skipped Deputy President William Ruto's tour at the county, raising questions about his next move.
On Sunday, Governor Samboja was absent from events attended by Dr Ruto where he fundraised for bodaboda groups from the region.
The Wiper party governor had initially pledged to support Dr Ruto's 2022 bid. However, he recently met ODM leader Raila Odinga.
During their meeting, Samboja, who is facing crisis with MCAs, threatened to have the county dissolved. He also expressed interest in the defending his seat on ODM.
At Taveta constituency on Monday, Samboja was not present. The DP was accompanied by area MP Naomi Shaban, another team member of Embrace movement.
All coastal counties governors notably Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya have snubbed Ruto's 5-day tour to the region which started last week Thursday.
People close to Mr Mvurya, who did not want to be identified in this story, told the Nation that the governor failed to show up because he had not been involved in inviting the DP, and therefore felt left out.
“It is all about politics. And we are aware that the Deputy President was invited by Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani and this might have angered the governor.
"The governor has endorsed his deputy Fatuma Achani, and by virtue of attending the functions could have been seen as endorsing Mr Mwashetani,” said the source.
Only three legislators — Lunga Lunga’s Khatib Mwashetani, Malindi’s Aisha Jumwa and Lamu East’s Sharif Athman — were present throughout his trip.
On Friday, Dr Ruto who visited Kilifi, asked coastal region residents to consider supporting his bid, arguing that he has always stood with them at the time of need.
“I am always ready to support you when you call upon me to do so. But you should also return the favour and support us,” he said.