Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi's rise to the center of Mombasa politics is synonymous with the political career of former Kisauni lawmaker Karisa Maitha for both started from the scratch.
A teacher by profession, Mwinyi has spent the better part of his life teaching where he rose to the position of headteacher before venturing into politics.
By the time he made his first attempt for an elective position in 2013, long-serving MP Ramadhan Kajembe had dominated Changamwe politics for decades. But for Mwinyi, it was his time to end Kajembe's monopoly. The incumbent was not going to defend his seat and was gunning for the Mombasa Senator position.
Having secured the ODM ticket, he easily clinched the seat and from there, Mwinyi has grown into a political monster.
His political mettle was tested in 2017 when several aspirants lined up to send him home. And when everyone had written his political obituary, the lawmaker had the last laugh. He clinched the ODM ticket once again and confirmed that he is the new 'King' of Changamwe with a resounding victory during the August 8 polls.
Being a key ally of Governor Hassan Joho, Mwinyi has found himself at the centre of Mombasa politics. And 60 years, he is considered an elder in the county's political scene.
With attention now shifting to 2022, the lawmaker remains a man to beat in that political contest.