The political heat is set to rise at the Coast following a request by Nyali MP Hezron Awiti that Governor Hassan Joho steps down from his position as governor and instead back him in 2017.
Awiti has declared interest in the Mombasa governor seat and is expected to challenge Mr Joho next year.
The lawmaker has of late become one of Joho's greatest critics, lashing out at the county chief and questioning his development record.
During Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa, he hit out at Joho claiming the ODM deputy party leader had run down the county's economy.
"It is evident you have run down the county and failed to tackle the thorny land and drugs menace," Awiti said.
He said Joho had failed to address critical issues dragging the county's development.
On Saturday however, he took his rivalry a notch higher when he requested Joho to back his gubernatorial quest in 2017.
Awiti said he is best placed to transform the Mombasa county's economy.
It is however, not clear whether the request will ever see the day's light since Joho is ODM party leader Raila Odinga's close confidant.
On Monday, youth said to be Joho's supporters disrupted Awiti's rally in Maweni after the legislator is said to have talked ill of Joho.