Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku has declared that he would rather lose his seat while supporting President William Ruto.

The MCA from Nyeri County said that it is better than winning an election on the side of what he described as a “self-appointed Mt Kenya prefect.”

Kiruga, using Facebook on Monday, July 6, 2026, defended his political stand and criticised an unnamed leader whom he accused of attempting to dictate political choices in the Mt Kenya region.

“I am better off losing an election on the side of President William Samoei Ruto than winning on the side of the self-appointed Mt Kenya prefect,” Kiruga said.

“Tûkonia my foot! Wasaliti my foot! You must allow democracy to take root!”

Defends Othaya voters

The MCA further alleged that the unnamed leader was planning political violence but said he and his supporters were prepared to face it.

“Hiyo violence mnapanga, we are ready to stare down at it. Period!” he said.

Kiruga also accused the same leader of invoking the name of former President Mwai Kibaki for political gain despite allegedly opposing him during his presidential bids.

“Before you attempt to con us politically using the name of H.E. President Mwai Kibaki, let me reiterate the following and listen here and listen well,” he wrote.

“The people of Othaya voted for this man almost to a man for close to four decades.”

He claimed the unnamed politician campaigned against Kibaki whenever he sought the presidency.

“When the current self-appointed Mt Kenya prefect got an opportunity to vote for Kibaki when he was vying for President of Kenya, he campaigned seriously against the man every time Mzee was on the ballot. It’s very possible the ‘prefect’ has never voted for Mwai Kibaki even once in his lifetime.”

Othaya will choose its own leader

Kiruga said residents of Othaya did not require political direction on whom to support, arguing that they had consistently elected Kibaki long before the current political realignments.

“The people of Othaya never needed anyone’s instructions in order to vote for Mwai Kibaki,” he said.

“Othaya will give itself a leader that it wants, not a leader that pleases you.”

Although Kiruga did not mention any individual by name, his remarks come amid heightened political rivalry in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders competing for influence across the vote-rich region.