Governors from the Coast region at a past function. [Photo/ plus.google.com]
The 2017 general election is proving to be one of the most hotly contested in the history of Coast region politics.
As it stands now, majority of the causalities will be governors who are fighting for their political lives.
Mombasa County, the heartbeat of the region's politics will see the titans battle out for the top seat as incumbent Governor Hassan Joho fights off the threat posed by a resurgent erstwhile friend Hassan Omar.
The battle has further been amplified by Jubilee's desire to control the Coastal city with Suleiman Shahbal keen to pounce on any mistake by the incumbent to clinch the seat.
In Kilifi County, the region's most populous county, Governor Amason Kingi is facing a dilemma as his main rival Gideon Mung'aro of Jubilee seems to be gaining ground each day.
To further throw the spanner into the works is the re-entry of Kazungu Kambi into politics.
Since his entry into politics nearly a decade ago, Kingi is now facing a real test in his political journey.
Kwale County which has seen many political realignments since 2013 is another county to watch as heavyweights face off in the race for the county’s top seat.
Incumbent Salim Mvurya could be the first victim if party politics is anything to go. He is defending his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. But the threat posed by Issa Chipera of ODM and a veteran in the county politics Chirau Mwakwere cannot be wished away.
Here, development record, party politics and ethnic equation will determine the next county boss.
Probably the man under siege now is Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu. He jumped ship to defend his seat as an independent after losing in the ODM nominations.
His political career is surely hanging on the balance as party politics will matter. To further compound his agony is his tribe which has been a main determinant factor in Taita politics.
His Taveta community is the minority.
The situation is not any different in Tana River where incumbent Hussein Dhado is facing three formidable opponents in Danson Mungatana, Dado Godana and Dr Nuh Nassir.