Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima at a past event. Photo/ the-star.co.ke
When he pulled a political upset in the 2007 elections by sweeping aside the stronger Suleiman Shakombo to win the Likoni parliamentary seat, Masoud Mwahima was seen to be destined for greatness in Coast politics.
However, 10 years down the line, the narrative has completely changed, coupled with shifting political dynamics.
For the man who is serving his second term in parliament, 2017 may prove to be his make or break moment in the murky world of politics.
Mwahima's election in 2007 was seen to be a source of hope for the Likoni residents, a constituency that is ravaged by high levels of poverty. However, his political enemies have accused him of betraying the residents when they need him most.
Ben Odhiambo Awuoro, who has thrown himself into the ring to unseat Mwahima on an Amani National Congress (ANC) ticket, claims that everything has gone wrong in the constituency under the MP's watch.
Awuoro, who was speaking on Sunday at the constituency, said the worst thing that the residents in the area can do is to re-elect the lawmaker, whom he termed as a self-seeking politician.
Bearing in mind leaders in Kenya are elected on party basis, Mwahima's chances of winning the seat for the third consecutive term appear slim considering his Jubilee Party choice in a region where ODM and other opposition parties enjoy fanatical following.
He may be the most experienced politician in the county having been a councilor for over 20 years before being a mayor, but 2017 is proving a new challenge for Mwahima.