Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar may be on brink of disappearing into political oblivion with all opinion polls not giving him a chance in the gubernatorial race. [Photo/the Star]
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar is now walking on a political tightrope with all the opinion polls suggesting that he has no chance in the Mombasa gubernatorial race, where he will face off with erstwhile friend and incumbent Hassan Joho, Jubilee candidate Suleiman Shahbal and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti.
The latest opinion poll by TIFA Research Limited placed the Wiper official third with just 6% support, with Joho on course to defend his seat.
Omar, who has always been bullish that he will stun Joho and clinch the seat, is increasingly becoming isolated in the region's politics with claims that he is a Jubilee Party sponsored candidate, further muddying the waters for him.
And with the funny nature of Mombasa politics since independence, losing a political seat is as good as disappearing into political oblivion.
It has happened before. And Omar might follow if the opinion polls are anything to go by.
Balala was one of the most influential politicians in the country. However, his political light was dimmed in 2013 after losing to Omar, then a political novice, in the senatorial race.
His shock loss was attributed to his 'unpopular' decision to break ranks with ODM leader Raila Odinga, a political favourite in the region.
Then there is former Likoni MP and Cabinet Minister Suleiman Shakombo, who has failed to make a political comeback since losing to Masoud Mwahima in 2007.
With Omar's opponents accusing him of associating with Jubilee despite being a Wiper member, his disappearance in the region's politics may be a matter of when rather than if. And the gubernatorial race results may determine his political trajectory.