With political realignments starting to take new shape heading to 2022, only smart and brave politicians will survive the fast-changing political winds.
The race for the six coastal counties is slowly becoming the next battle frontier even as the political top guns eye the regions' 2 million votes. And Mombasa with over 500,000 registered voters is becoming the centre of all battles.
Elected on a Wiper party ticket, Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo is becoming the main political actor in the Coastal city.
His open dalliance with Deputy President William Ruto has rattled the ODM wing of the NASA coalition.
However, his party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has remained tight-lipped. Will he crack the whip?
Should the former Vice President take a step to initiate disciplinary action against the lawmaker who has openly declared that he will back Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid, then the battle for Mombasa may take a new twist.
Faced with the risk of being expelled from the party for going against its rules and regulations, the rebellious MP may toe to the party line which may thwart the DP’s ambitions to make inroads in the region.
For Raila and Joho who have been on the receiving end amid ongoing political activities in the region, it will be a battle won.