Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is undoubtedly one of Kenya's rising political stars, especially in the Coast region, thanks to his anti-Jubilee government stance.
However, since joining politics nearly a decade ago, representing Kisauni Constituency, Joho is facing an acid test in his political career that has seen him make many enemies and friends alike.
The man who has been touted as being able to fit into the huge shoes of the late Karisa Maitha, is now facing an awkward dilemma that may as well have a bearing on his political future.
After many months of push-pull, his deputy Hezel Katana decided to bolt out of the Orange Party in which he is the deputy leader, accusing the governor of being a bully.
The move is seen to throw his candidature to defend the seat into the spin.
Hassan Omar, the county senator, who was the governor's erstwhile friend has staged a mutiny against him and has already set his eyes on the seat in the August poll.
Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has also declared his interest to unseat the incumbent, a move that is set to send alarm bells in the entire county that all is not well in the coalition considering the the trio come from CORD Coalition.
The protracted feud between Joho and Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa has also played out severally with the Governor's security detail having been withdrawn just a few weeks ago.
Businessman Suleiman Shahbal is also back with a bang, and this time round in a new political outfit, Jubilee Party.
Although Jubilee is a relatively unpopular party in the region, Shahbal is using alleged corruption in the Joho administration to outsmart him come August.
It is however Katana's exit from the Joho camp that is throwing the spanner into the works in as far as his re-election bid is concerned.
As it appears now, Joho's dream of becoming Kenya's President in 2022 is shattered even before take-off.
For him to have any dream to lead the country, he will have to go back to the drawing board and restrategize on how to upset the status quo.