The 2017 electioneering year is fast approaching and to the residents of Mombasa, the future of the politics at the Port City remains something hard to accurately predict.
The residents said the region that overwhelmingly voted for opposition leader Raila Odinga remains an open ground in the national politics.
Mombasa has in the past been an opposition strong hold, but the latest incidences of shifting gears by a section of MPs may further complicate the already complex situation.
Speaking to this writer on Sunday in Mvita, majority of the residents said they are expecting very competitive campaigns come next year.
“We have been loyal to the leader of the opposition for a long time and we are ready to stand with him next year,” said Sofia Omar, a Mvita resident.
She further claimed that the government's failure to address a number of issues including the thorny Waitiki land issue, will see them vote for the opposition.
Hussein Mohammed, a supporter of the embattled Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima, said the MPs who ditched Cord did nothing wrong, adding that they will continue supporting them.
Geoffrey Onyiko on his part questioned the development record of some of the leaders since they were elected into office nearly four years ago.
“The so called leaders have done little to deserve my vote in future,” said Onyiko.
The residents said the incumbents will have to give a bruising political campaign in a bid to win the seats.