Immediately after he was declared the winner in the August 8, 2017's Machakos gubernatorial poll, Governor Alfred Mutua expressed his interest in the presidency without hesitation.
Having won on his own party's ticket, the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader was optimistic that he would succeed H. E. President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022 presidential elections.
However, these dreams and hope were zeroed by the nullification of his election.
The nullification done by the Court of Appeal on June 8, 2018, brought deep darkness to Mutua's supporters and himself as if he will win again in the fresh gubernatorial election and go ahead to vie for presidency come 2022.
Alfred Mutua's nullification is, possibly, joyous to some political rivals who are also targeting the country's top seat.
The nullification is a big loss to the governor's supporters from the Ukambani region who were bragging already that Mutua would be the Kamba's kingpin.
This meant that he was the most preferred leader from the region to Wiper party's Kalonzo Musyoka, who will equally be eyeing for the top seat in 2022.
This uncertainty has suddenly dismantled the courage and the boldness Mutua had in facing off his opponents in the forthcoming polls.
In fact, his political career will be vindicated should he lose the anticipated by-election to former Kathiani MP and his longtime political rival Wavinya Ndeti who could not hide her joy after the nullification.
Should Mutua lose his appeal at the Supreme Court and the fresh gubernatorial election held in Machakos County, then his chances of becoming the successor of President Kenyatta or rather being a presidential candidate in 2022 will be nearly zero.