Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho's presidential ambitions in 2022 have suffered a setback after two elected Coast MPs from opposition's NASA coalition rallied support for Deputy President William Ruto's bid.
Two Coast governors, Salim Mvurya of Kwale and Granton Samboja of Taita Taveta are also in support of Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda, dealing Joho a political blow.
Joho said he would vie for presidency in 2022 through the ODM party ticket upon consultations with his Kilifi county brother, ODM's Amason Kingi.
The two-time governors expressed interest in ensuring the coast region fields a presidential candidate to battle Ruto and any other interested candidate.
Joho backed on support from his coast region before seeking support from other parts of the country, but things seem to be going astray for him after one of his allies, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa backed Ruto.
Jumwa, a vocal ODM MP said she would support Ruto for presidency, days after her party leader Raila Odinga held a truce meeting with his political nemesis, Ruto's boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"We can not stop the idea which time has come. 2022, God willing, is William Samoei Ruto," she said during a church service in Voi, complicating Joho's bid.
The former Kilifi County Woman Representative was speaking on Sunday when Ruto visited Taita Taveta County, accompanied by Governor Samboja among other local and coast region leaders.
Ali Mbogo who was elected on a Wiper Democratic Movement also said Ruto should be supported for he has been doing great work for the people of Kenya.
During August 8, 2017 general elections campaign, Joho opposed Mbogo and supported former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba of ODM.
Joho also faces tough opposition from Nyali MP, former journalist Mohammed Ali who vied on an independent ticket and former Senator Hassan Omar, who defected from Wiper to Jubilee.
The ODM-Jubilee partnership also leaves many questions unanswered since it is not clear whether Raila will support Ruto's bid or he himself seeks Jubilee's support so as to vie in 2022.